The Patsa is a river located entirely in the partially recognized Caucasian Republic of South Ossetia,[a] forming a river valley, and being one of the Republic's defining geographic features, as well as providing water for irrigation for the Znaur District, the Republic's bread basket.

The river originates in the Racha Range near the Ertso Pass, on the border of Shida Kartli and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and runs southwards, concurrently with the Kudar Valley.

[b] The Valley is known for its large number of caves and rock structures.

Settlements along the river include Kemulta, where the Keshelta merges into the Patsa, Kotano, Sokhta and Nazigini, where the Saritata River merges into the Patsa.

[2] The bridge across the Patsa at Didi Gupta is one of the most important pieces of infrastructure in South Ossetia, as it is the only connection from Java to Tskhinvali.