Lake Paliastomi, Liman lake near Poti, Georgia

Lake Paliastomi is a coastal lagoon near Poti that stretches across a broad area and connects to the Black Sea through a natural channel. The shallow water is surrounded by wetland vegetation and attracts many bird species.

The lagoon formed through natural coastal processes over long periods, and archaeological finds show that the area has been used by people since ancient times. Artifacts from the old kingdom of Colchis have been recovered from both the shore and underwater locations.

The lake's name is explained by Giorgi Gamkrelidze as combining Greek paliás (old) and stomá (fortress), meaning 'old fortress'. In 1891 Egnate Ninoshvili published the story 'Lake Paliastomi', and in 1963 Semyon Dolidze directed the film 'Paliastomi' based on it. A 12th-century Georgian inscription on a silver cup found nearby is kept in the Kutaisi Historical-Ethnographic Museum.

The lagoon lies within a national park and works well for birdwatching and exploring by boat. Pick your season carefully, as water levels shift and insects can be thick during warmer months.

The name derives from the Greek words "paliás" (old) and "stomá" (fortress), meaning "old fortress", according to Giorgi Gamkrelidze. In 1961, archaeologists found traces of a 2nd-century AD settlement on the lake bed, a site possibly linked to the ancient city of Phasis.