Mestia Svaneti

Crown of the Caucasus
"Savane" -the paradise is the place at the Swans. Svaneti, the historical region of Georgia lies in the Great Caucasus. Early sources mention the Svans and suggest a relationship with the Sumerians.
Svaneti consists of Upper Svaneti, also known as Free Svaneti, on the upper Inguri river and Lower Svaneti on the upper Stkhenisqali river.
Svans are a martial and proud tribe, who, in the seclusion of its mountain world, could preserve its centuries-old traditions, clan structure and archaic culture.  Svans have their own language, old customs and peculiar architectural styles. A trip to Svaneti is always something special, it is actually something like a time trip into an archaic-looking world. Characteristic of Svan culture were and are the defense towers and houses.
Already Xenophon, the Greek historian, reports of these towers in the fourth century BC, Travelers, on the way to Mestia, are already in a paradise. They are not much higher than 500 m above sea level, but around you the mountain rise with about 3000 m, and quite powerful. In Svaneti you will discover the majestic mountains, high snow-capped mountains, wooded hills, charming valleys and the highest part of Europe, as well as other Svan villages of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
The sights of Svaneti: Mestia province capital, Machubi family museum, Mikheil Khergiani museum, the art museum, the Svan Church, houses, the old churches with frescoes and icons, Hatswali and Tetnuldi ski resort, Ushba and Shkhara glaciers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd54f4kHf5A

 

Mestia
Mestia, the provincial capital of Upper Svaneti, lies 1500 meters above sea level. Characterized for the Mestia is the svanetian tower, which graced every family estate. There are now 42 defensive towers in Mestia, perhaps 400 in all Svaneti. In the city there is a modern airport. From Mestia visitors can take numerous mountain tours.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
Mestia has some remarkable museums:

Machubi Family Museum
Machubi is a large space next to a traditional defensive tower. Until the end of the nineteenth century, the Machubi served as a common living space for humans and animals. In the middle of the Machubi is the fireplace, called Keria, the central place of family life. The museum shows earlier life, old customs and culture of Svans.
Mikheil-Khergiani Museum
An alpine museum dedicated to the great indigenous mountaineer Mikheil Khergiani, the "tiger of the mountains," represents the life of Svans. The museum guide proudly reports on Khergiani and his successes.
The art museum accommodates incomparable treasures, especially exceptionally beautiful and unique metal manuscripts and icons, as well as Georgian handwritings of the Gospels.
Svanetian towers and residences
The svanetian towers are peculiar. They all come from the early middle Ages. Each dwelling house had one of the typical Svanetian residential and defense tower. The defense towers consist of four or five storeys, solidly bricked with stones and are 20 to 25 meters high. The individual storey are each only connected by a small hatch, which can only be reached via a ladder or a knit. They are not accessible on the ground level, their entrance door at least five meters above the ground can be reached via stairs or ladders. They could be withdrawn or demolished quickly in case of defenses. So one could still defend in the towers from floor to floor. The uppermost storey has an encirclement and peculiarly interesting embrasures.
 
Frescos and icons of Svaneti
The churches with wonderful frescoes and iconic paintings offer a deep view into the soul of Svans. These impressive frescoes can only be found here in the untamed nature of Svaneti.
In some churches there are poetic wall and facade paintings, portrayals of battle scenes and saints. In such art pagan ideas are mixed with Christianity. In the small, wet and cold churches are the treasures of processions crosses and icons.
The frescoes of Iphari-Kirchre (1096), Lagurka (1112), Nakipari (1132), Christ the Savior's Church of Matskhvarishi (1140), among others, are artistic championships. Also noteworthy are the works of the Svan goldsmiths.
 
The village Ushguli
The highest village in Europe
"Brave heart" is the name of Ushguli in Svan language. The village is located 42 km away from Mestia, on the river Inguri, 2200 meters above sea level and is considered the most important village in Europe. The history of the past of this ancient village tells the 46 defensive towers, at the feet of which modern buildings with civilizing facilities strike the bridge into the 21st century.
The mountain village of Ushguli, where time has stood still, and has a legendary place in Georgia, fascinates by its picturesque scenery in unspoilt nature. From here the hiking goes to Shkhara- glacier, for "Lamaria 'Church (10th c.), as well as Queen Tamar's fortress.
Enguri/ Inguri River
The river Enguri (213 km long) arises from the Great Caucasus and flows into the Black Sea. Enguri plays an important role in energy supply in the country. The river was already known in ancient times. The water of the Enguri, which was grayed with gravel and shale dust, brought with it so much gold dust that  Svans fished the gold. In the mystic world of ancient times, the legend of Argonauts tells of the fabulous Golden Fleece, which has motivated Jason with his Argonauts to the adventurous journey to Colchis.
Enguri- Staumauer
Enguri Dam, a huge concrete structure, with its 262.5 m height and 680 m width, is one of the highest dams in the world. The dam is located in Mingrelia, the power station on Abkhazian territory. The lake, which stretches like a robber's nest on both sides of the narrow valley, stretches for about 35 kilometers.
Ski resort Hatsvali
Ski resort Hatsvali is located 8 km south of Mestia. The area is popular not only in winter but also in summer for hikers. The chairlift is also in operation in summer, from above you have a fantastic view over the Caucasian mountains. Ushba shows with his unrestricted beauty.
Ski resort Tetnuldi
Ski holiday in Svaneti is not only skiing, but also a real dream trip into the atmosphere of the middle Ages. Tetnuldi ski area, surrounded by eternal glaciers, offers the tourist an unforgettable time. The Great Caucasus mountain range with the high mountains (up to 5000 m) and beauty represent a picturesque picture.
Ushba
The "Terrible" is called the Ushba by Svans. The Mountain (4737m), which is still regarded as a haven of disaster, and one of the dangerous glaciers of the Great Caucasus.
Shkhara
Shkhara - with the 5200 m high Shkhara, the highest mountain of Georgia as a backdrop is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the main ridge of the Great Caucasus. The mountain is located 8 km from the community of Ushguli. From here, the Enguri leads in a broad, nearly flat valley, glacier-cut, to the Shkhara glacier, from which it springs.
Hiking in Svaneti
From Mestia is a nice day trip to the ski resort Hatsvali, the highest village in Europe -Ushguli, Mulakhi and Iphani.
The program also includes walking to the Caucasian waterfalls.
We also offer you a round trip from the mountain village of Becho over the Guli-pass, then from Mestia to Ushguli and back, which gives the experienced hikers in 8 to 14 days the infinite beauty of the Svanetian mountain world and archaic cultural landscape.