Svaneti is an ancient land locked in the Caucasus, and is so remote that it was never tamed by any ruler. Svaneti is a landscape of high snow-capped peaks, forested hills and spectacular valleys. Winding roads lead to hidden villages dotted with medieval watchtowers.
Upper Svaneti
Svaneti is divided into Upper Svaneti and Lower Svaneti. The Upper one is also called “The Free” Svaneti as it has never had any ruler. Upper Svaneti is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The region of Upper Svaneti is an outstanding example of an exceptional mountain landscape composed of highly preserved villages with unique defensive tower houses, examples of ecclesiastical architecture and arts of medieval origin.
Mestia
Is the administrative center of Svaneti. It is a relatively small town of around 2,600 inhabitants, but it is the main service center for the Svaneti Region. Mestia is situated 456 km from Georgia’s capital city, Tbilisi, and is 1,500 meters above sea level. Mestia is famous for its watchtowers that you can find attached nearly to all houses there.
Watchtowers of Mestia
There are hundreds of them up here, sticking up above the villages to afford a clear view of ancient enemies. Made of stone in medieval times and topped with slate, they have stood upright through centuries of avalanche and flood, protecting their families, as well as the treasures of the rest of the country. These watchtowers are so old that no one remembers when and how they were built.
Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography is also located in Mestia. Here you can see the collections of illuminated manuscripts, icons and other antiquites from the Svanetian population and from Svaneti church.
Hiking Trails from Mestia
There are some famous and easy hiking trails that you can take from Mestia. One of them is a hike to the cross of Mestia. This is one of the most beautiful hiking trails, that starts from Mestia. It is a moderate hike and will take only half-day walk to reach to the cross. It is visible 900 m above Mestia. From the cross one can admire a beautiful views of the whole Mestia and Mt Ushba.
Another beautiful trail is a hike to Shkhara glacier. This hike is relatively flat and suitable for everybody. The whole hike will take 5 hours from you. The views are pretty nice, since one can enjoy the breathtaking panoramas of the territory.
Mikhail Khergiani
Mikhail Khergiani, who got nicknamed “Tiger of Rocks”, is one of the greatest alpinists in the world. He is a Soviet athlete and climber. 7-fold champion of the USSR.
Museum of Mikhail Khergiani is one of the main attractions of the capital city of Svaneti – Mestia. Khergiani Museum is located in the house where he once lived. It consists of four rooms: ethnographic, the audience hall, history hall of Soviet mountaineer and a private rooms of Mikhail Khergiani.
Mount Ushba
Ushba is one of the most notable peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. Although it does not rank in the 10 highest peaks of the range, Ushba is known for its spire-shaped double summit.
Even the local Svans, who live at the foot of it, can’t explain the origin of the name of the mountain. One version of translation of its name is from Svan language and translates into “The road to nowhere” or “the wretched place”.
Due to its steep profile, unstable weather and glaciers, Ushba is considered by many climbers as the most difficult ascent in the Caucasus.
Mount Ushba / Svaneti
In 1959 famous Armenian mountaineer Aghvan Chatinyan with the group of Kiril Burov has been one of the first men to go by the trail called “the cross of Ushba”. Even now this trail is considered to be a very difficult one.
Ushba waterfall (Shdugra) is the most affluent waterfall in whole Georgia. Located in Svaneti, near Mazeri village. You can reach both, the bottom of the waterfall, as the overhead of it. If you get overhead, you will be able to see the glacier at the bottom of the Ushba, also, wonderful views all over the Svaneti.
Photos by Arthur Manucharyan, Babken Arzumanyan , Davit Khojamiryan and Tigran Shahbazyan
Hiking and Trekking in Armenia
