Svaneti for Tourists: Sights and Tips for Mestia
Traveling through Svaneti and Mestia
The beautiful and picturesque village of Svaneti is located at an altitude of 5,000 meters above sea level, where the sky meets the earth.
Although it occupies a small portion of the Georgian map, it attracts more tourists than other cities.
Location of the village
The settlement with a permanent population of 25 thousand people is picturesque Svaneti. However, the location leaves much to be desired. After all, the village is located in a remote mountainous area of Georgia. Surrounded by mountain ranges everywhere, Svaneti has retained its original appearance. After all, civilization has bypassed it. A few words about the boundaries of the edge.
- To the north and east is the Caucasus Range, where the border with Russia is located.
- To the south is the Svan Range.
- To the west is the Kodori Gorge, where the border with Abkhazia is located, with which Georgia has a political conflict.
To relax in Svaneti, you first need to get there. This can be done by various means of transportation.
Ways to get to Svaneti
There is one direct road from Zugdidi, through the valley of the Inguri River.
There are other ways as well. From Kutaisi, by Tsageri and Ushli by road. In the journey will need a detailed map. Google may lead to the road with not the best coverage. Of course, the area is actively developed, so the innovations may not be registered.
You can also fly to Svaneti from the capital or Kutaisi. Flight schedules are constantly changing and disrupted due to bad weather. Tickets can be purchased online, and a maximum of 15 people can be accommodated on board.
The shuttle bus departs from Tbilisi, Zugdidi, and Kutaisi. This journey takes at least 10 hours, but it is a great opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes that you may not have seen before.
Alternatively, you can take a train from the capital to Zugdidi and then transfer to any convenient mode of transportation.
Regardless of the mode you choose, you can immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of this fascinating country.
Historical information
The village of Svaneti has a rich history. In the first century, Roman legionnaires considered the Svan people to be great conquerors who knew no fear in numerous battles.
The village was never conquered, even by Batu Khan, who passed by.
Initially, the area was part of Colchis. The rulers changed, coming from other countries. The Russian Empire conquered the region in 1835, but the people of Svaneti opposed the established tsarist regime. The Svan people finally gained their independence in the early 20th century. However, they came under Soviet rule in 1924. This led to a significant boost in the region's development.
The collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s brought about a period of decline. However, Svaneti is currently experiencing a revival, and civilization is gradually reaching this charming village.
Interesting places of Svaneti
The famous Svaneti Range divides the settlement into two parts: Upper and Lower. Usually, travelers arrive in the first one. After all, there you can find historical architectural structures and get acquainted with the cultural component.
The central part of Svaneti is Mestia. A small-scale settlement located high in the mountains. It is inhabited by two and a half thousand people. It is here that a huge number of Russian tourists come.
At the same time, the locals are mostly old people who speak the Svan dialect. The middle generation speaks Georgian and Russian, and the young people in this village know English.
The village is famous for its hospitality. When traveling here for a vacation, you can choose the following accommodation options:
- Guest house.
- Hotel family complex.
- Modern type hotel.
Rest in Mestia still has some parts of modern civilization. You can have lunch in a cafe, watch a LCD TV, use an ATM and catch Wi-Fi.
You can find out more about the settlement in the information center. Here you will be told about the options for accommodation, the location of local attractions, and will advise you on how to get to the desired point.
Ushguli is a village that is recommended for visiting by residents of Svaneti.
The location of this village is the foot of Shakhra (the highest point in the country). There are about 2,000 people living here. However, the only way to get to Ushguli is on foot, as there is no transportation available.
From the mountain village, you can reach Lentehi via the Zegaro Pass. Along the way, you can take many photos of Lower Svaneti and its picturesque surroundings.
Ushguli has the following attractions:
- Museum of Local Lore.
- Towers built for Queen Tamara.
- The Lamaria Temple.
It is in this settlement that you can find medieval fortresses and towers that have been preserved to this day.
The lower part of Svaneti is a gorge that is separated from the upper part of the region by the Svan Range. The main settlement is Lentehi, which has a population of about two thousand people. There are fewer interesting tourist attractions in this area. However, the natural views are breathtaking and considered a true gem.
You won't find such beautiful landscapes and medieval structures in any other country in the world.
Main sights of Svaneti
All the main monuments, monuments, and ancient architectural structures are located in Upper Svaneti. Despite its small area, the region is notable for its interesting objects.
The main and most impressive area in the lower region is the mountainous natural zone. Its unparalleled beauty is captivating and features stunning landscapes. Alpine meadows, flat terrain, snow-covered slopes, river channels, and waterfalls offer a vibrant array of colors that delight every tourist. The mountainous roads are characterized by tunnels carved into the rocks. Travelers seem to find themselves in the kingdom of the mountain king from the opera "Peer Gynt".
The huge structure, which is 270 m high, is the Inguri Hydroelectric Power Station, located on the border with Abkhazia. Tourists are allowed to enter it.
Svan Towers
The famous Svan towers are not particularly large buildings, erected by residents near populated areas. In turbulent times, citizens took refuge here from the raids of conquerors. Fortified structures provided an opportunity to wait out the danger for several months. The towers were connected to houses by underground passages.
Most of the buildings were created in the east, in Latali and in the west, in Ushguli. Historians believe that the most intensive construction of towers took place during the reign of Queen Tamara. In the history of Svaneti, this time period is called the "Golden Age."
Military structures were an excellent way for people to hide during times of civil strife or blood feuds. The locals sometimes offer guided tours for tourists, explaining the details of the buildings.
Cable car
There are ski resorts located near the central villages of Svaneti: Tetnuldi and Khatsvali, which are equipped with cable cars. Tourists can reach these resorts by car or hitchhiking. It is also possible to visit these areas on foot. The cable car operates all year round. Summer is the best time to visit these resorts, as they offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Tourists can take numerous photos and record videos of the breathtaking scenery. The beauty of these landscapes is hard to describe in words, and it is worth seeing them with your own eyes at least once.
The nature of Svaneti
The seasons in Svaneti are calculated a little differently than the usual seasonal division. Spring begins in May. The summer season is very short and lasts only one month, August. The rest of the time is cloudy with constant precipitation. In winter, there are heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures.
In the past, the region became inaccessible during the winter. The snowfall blocked the roads and travel routes. It was so bad that it was impossible to get to Svaneti from the neighboring village, not to mention larger cities and countries.
It is important to know that a snowstorm can last up to 3 days. During this time, it is best to stay in a hotel.
As a result, the best time to visit Svaneti is during the summer season. Many travelers are attracted by the mountain lakes, rugged glaciers, gorges, valleys, passes, and mountain ranges.
It is recommended to take a tour to Svaneti in May or August. It is during these months that you can admire the wild, untouched nature.
Recreation in this village is most popular among athletes, extreme athletes, and fans of Svan culture.
A small settlement is known all over the world. He is admired not only by residents of Georgia. It's safe to say that this is the place to visit.
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