Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post Search
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

The Most Unique Bus Stops That I Found In Abkhazia (13 Pics)
User submission
6K

The Most Unique Bus Stops That I Found In Abkhazia (13 Pics)

ADVERTISEMENT

You might have never heard of Abkhazia – it’s a small plot of land between Georgia and Russia along the Black Sea. It’s surprisingly beautiful and populated by friendly people. Nevertheless, it’s a disputed region. This de facto state has been struggling for international recognition for many years, and the conflict is still not resolved yet, sadly.

Traveling in this region was a great experience. I was surprised by the amazing bus stops we saw on the side of the road. I couldn’t drive by without taking a picture of them.

More info: artdecay.eu | Instagram

In many countries, these bus stops are just a place where you wait, a shelter from the weather elements. However, Abkhazia’s stops have extraordinary architectural designs and are so unique. These surreal places are very uncommon for Soviet times. Architectural freedom was not allowed into the Soviet Union, the regulations were very strict, and the technology was limited. You’ll find specially designed, undeniably cool buildings everywhere across the former Soviet Union, but the ones at the Black Sea in Abkhazia are the most peculiar and has the most unique designs.

ADVERTISEMENT

You’ll find most of them on the highway between Gagra, Pitsunda, and New Athos. One man was responsible for these amazingly cool designs – an architect, a painter, and sculptor Zurab Tsereteli. Since he got his inspiration from the Black Sea, several stops are shaped like giant seashells, waves, or fishes. Back in the day, local people were surprised and intimidated by this style and creativity, it was too western. Most of them didn’t like the shelters deviating so much from the usual Russian architecture but now those places are landmarks and tourist sites.

ADVERTISEMENT

This remarkable bus stop brings a flood of memories back. While we were doing this photo series, an old Mercedes pulled up and the driver emerged, walking over to us. He struck up a friendly conversation, pleased and honored that we were commemorating the site through pictures. As we spoke, he picked up litter off the ground, a poignant effort rooted in pride for his country and a desire to present it at its best.

ADVERTISEMENT

Stops made from mosaics, stone, concrete, or plastic were built almost 60 years ago, and some are in a bad condition. They were some efforts to restore them but without any success; a group of local people want to preserve and see this shelter on the list of historical monuments. So far, the government of Abkhazia hasn’t done anything. However, I was delighted to have the chance to take these interesting photos.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

6Kviews

Share on Facebook
You May Like
Popular on Bored Panda
Write comments
Add photo comments
POST
georgesalukvadze avatar
George Salukvadze
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You do know that it's Abkhazian Autonomous Republic, Georgia? And not a separate country and not a plot of land BETWEEN Georgia and Russia, but WITHIN Georgia?

andrewgunner avatar
Andrew Gunner
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You do realize what "de facto" means, right? And you do know that Georgia haven't controled Abkhazia for the past 30 years, and that the Georgia-Abkhazia war is over, and Abkhazia won, right?

Load More Replies...
skye-urbex avatar
sophie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never saw such extraordinary bus stops, thanks for sharing

bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful. I'd love to see some of them a little better cleaned up and renovated

niala2irm avatar
Zelda Blue
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish that we could have such unique bus stop shelters everywhere, to allow artists an outlet for their creativity.

chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Intriguing, unique structures. How do people know that they're bus stops? I don't see any signs or other designations.

nana_janashia avatar
Nana Janashia
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Abkhazia is Georgia!!! It is now occupied by Russia like the other part of Georgia! Please, with a kind respect update the part where it says "it’s a small plot of land between Georgia and Russia". But thanks for the amazing pictures, I wish I could go there :/

andrewgunner avatar
Andrew Gunner
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not occupied by Russians at all. Have you ever even been there? You don't know what you're talking about.

Load More Replies...
cynthiasterling_1 avatar
Cynthia Sterling
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a unique bus shelter, all l have seen are all your usual enclosed glass with a bench, if you are lucky !!

katokato avatar
kato kato
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Abkhazia is Georgia, not a plot of land between Georgia and Russia!

salome_khurtsidze avatar
Salome Khurtsidze
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks for these amazing photos! Please take a not that Abkhazia is in Georgia, not between Georgia and Russia.

andrewgunner avatar
Andrew Gunner
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"highway between Garga, Pitsunda..." Minor correction. It's Gagra. Not Garga.

isabelle-van-assche avatar
georgesalukvadze avatar
George Salukvadze
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You do know that it's Abkhazian Autonomous Republic, Georgia? And not a separate country and not a plot of land BETWEEN Georgia and Russia, but WITHIN Georgia?

andrewgunner avatar
Andrew Gunner
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You do realize what "de facto" means, right? And you do know that Georgia haven't controled Abkhazia for the past 30 years, and that the Georgia-Abkhazia war is over, and Abkhazia won, right?

Load More Replies...
skye-urbex avatar
sophie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never saw such extraordinary bus stops, thanks for sharing

bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful. I'd love to see some of them a little better cleaned up and renovated

niala2irm avatar
Zelda Blue
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish that we could have such unique bus stop shelters everywhere, to allow artists an outlet for their creativity.

chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Intriguing, unique structures. How do people know that they're bus stops? I don't see any signs or other designations.

nana_janashia avatar
Nana Janashia
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Abkhazia is Georgia!!! It is now occupied by Russia like the other part of Georgia! Please, with a kind respect update the part where it says "it’s a small plot of land between Georgia and Russia". But thanks for the amazing pictures, I wish I could go there :/

andrewgunner avatar
Andrew Gunner
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not occupied by Russians at all. Have you ever even been there? You don't know what you're talking about.

Load More Replies...
cynthiasterling_1 avatar
Cynthia Sterling
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a unique bus shelter, all l have seen are all your usual enclosed glass with a bench, if you are lucky !!

katokato avatar
kato kato
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Abkhazia is Georgia, not a plot of land between Georgia and Russia!

salome_khurtsidze avatar
Salome Khurtsidze
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks for these amazing photos! Please take a not that Abkhazia is in Georgia, not between Georgia and Russia.

andrewgunner avatar
Andrew Gunner
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"highway between Garga, Pitsunda..." Minor correction. It's Gagra. Not Garga.

isabelle-van-assche avatar
Popular on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda