Svaneti

SVANETI

CENTRE – MESTIA
AREA –4 389 SQ.KM.
POPULATION –23 000

Svaneti, the country of fabulous tower, is located in the north-eastern Georgia, on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, in the basin of upstream of Inguri and Tskhenistskali rivers. Svaneti is divided into two parts: Zemo (upper) Svaneti and Kvemo (lower) Svaneti.Svan architecture, which is harmonically combined with the outer world, is distinguished with its uniqueness. Towers and bastel-houses are the samples of architectural art. Towers and churches of Svaneti are preserved by UNESCO. Most of towers of Svaneti are built in the early Middle Ages.Svans speak in Svan language, which is the branch of Kartvelian languages of Iberian-Caucasian family.Visiting Svaneti you will be charmed by unique religious perceptions and traditions of Svans.

MESTIA

MESTIA
500 km from tbilisi
Mestia is a regional center of Zemo Svaneti, situated at an altitude of 1500 m above the sea level. In Mestia there is the church of St. George, which is a common place for prayers in Upper Svaneti. The old church was demolished and re-built in the XVIII century. Here are stored icons dated XII-XIII centuries.

USHGULI

USHGULI FORTIFICATION
550 Km from Tbilisi
Medieval CC
Ushguli is a marginal area of Upper Svaneti with several hamlets united, 1600-2200 meters above the sea level. There are fragments of a XII century fortress, several churches, ancient fortress adobes and cult constructions. Some parts of fortress adobes are oldest, IX-X century memorial bu