SVANETI Georgia is located in the Europe and Asian bordering area, in the south part of the Caucasian range .The highest and most inclement 700km long section of Caucasia is located within Georgian border . 125 km long section of […]
SVANETI
Georgia is located in the Europe and Asian bordering area, in the south part of the Caucasian range .The highest and most inclement 700km long section of Caucasia is located within Georgian border . 125 km long section of Georgian Caucasian mountains , section between Kodori gorge to the Phasi’s mountain , is called Svaneti Caucasia . This is where Svaneti – Georgia’s region with the highest mountains ,is located.
Absolutely unique is Svaneti cultural environment and specially in Mestia and Upper Svaneti eparchy covering areas. There are more than 70 churches dates X-XIII century , as well as cult buildings and 240 local towers.
Surrounded by mountains , the impregnable land of the Svanetians was far of the plains , caravan routes and the law. This mountain part of the country was isolated , owing the process of Georgia’s break up into smaller kingdoms and provinces that started in the 14th century . With the exception of several cases , Svanetians were their own patrons . Their character forms in close contact with the wild nature while downward in the valley time passed by and the history went along.
Svanetians are the only people among the mountainous people of Georgia who have a polyphonic songs. They sing their unique archaic songs when they are happy , when they work and even when misfortune overcome them. “Lileo “ is a hymn song to glorify the sun .Today , the song sounds as strong in Svanetia as it did in the old times when it was composed .
Svaneti is an administratively divided into Kvemo (Lower )Svaneti, Zemo (Upper) Svaneti and Svaneti of Abkhazia.
Mestia is the center of Upper Svaneti. Upper Svaneti includes the basin of Inguri River .
Shkhara, the highest summit of Georgia, towers above the highest village of Ushguli (5058m). Tetnuldi (4858m) that is always covered be snow and ice and the most fatal summit of the Caucasus Ushba (4700m) produce an unforgettable impression. There is no coincidence that the Svanetians are the only mountainous people of Georgia who got down the professional alpinism. The history of Georgian alpinism was written by representatives of renowned families such as the Khargiani’s, Niguriani’s, Gabliano’s and others .
The whole Svanetia resembles a museum. This inaccessible part of the world was a storehouse for the kings of Georgia. There were treasures preserved for centuries in small Svanetian churches with their unique interior and exterior painted walls. The icons, crosses and other religious items kept in the churches would be enough for several museums. Interestingly ,during wartimes owners of tresures , kings of Georgia and big feudal lords alike hide in Svaneti. They endowed the churches of Svaneti jewels and icons and the treasure of Svaneti became richer .Parts of these items is preserved in the museum of Mestia. Other objects are still hidden in the churches of Upper Svaneti. The locals cherish the treasure and take its protection for the sacred duty of all Svanetians.
Svaneti really makes a spectacular sight. Its gorges are surrounded by high summits and glacial lobes sometimes reach the lower forest belts. There are mountain rivers, woodlands, vast meadowsand Svanetian towers that were used as clan fortresses to protect their patrons from inner and outer enemies. The towers are mostly built in so-called Free Svaneti thatbegins above the village of Latali in Inguri Gorge. In Svanetian language the word “latali” has the meaning of the “guard”
Accommodation :
All the hotels and guest houses of Svaneti remain open year round , so the same choices of locations to stay and levels of budget or comfort are available . Mestia has by far the largest section , but practically every other village will offer something , especially Ushguli and Becho.