
History Museums in Georgia. Museum of History and Ethnography in Svaneti.
The Museum of History and Ethnography in Svaneti houses unique archaeological and ethnographic materials and a collection of the oldest Georgian manuscripts. Here you will also see a silver jug from the twelfth century, an embroidered icon, a decorative cross, interesting carved paintings and much more.
Archaeological and ethnographic materials and a rich collection of ancient Georgian manuscripts are kept here, in which the most important is the oldest Gospel of the four dated (897) - "Gospel of Adishi", as well as "Jerusalem Law" (10th century), "The Four Books of Mestia" (1033), other ancient editions of the Gospel, and many important monuments of Georgian embossed and fine art. The chronology of the exhibits begins with the 3rd millennium BC. A special place in the exposition is occupied by bronze Syrian censers of the 6th century, reliquaries of the 10th-11th centuries), ancient manuscripts made on parchment.
Address: Mestia village
The collection also contains a Sassanid silver jug from the 12th century, a Byzantine embroidered icon, a Venetian so-called decorative cross from the 13th century and other important exhibits; collections of Christian culture kept in Svaneti; numerous examples of Georgian, Byzantine and European art of the Middle Ages.
It is worth noting the cross created in Venice for installation in front of the altar (12th - late 14th century), which is known as the "latai" cross, i.e. decorated with precious stones.
Among the numismatic collections, the coin of Alexander the Great attracts special attention. This is one of 337 coins minted in the name of Alexander the Great and discovered on the territory of Georgia. Of particular importance is the icon of Silikhana, which contains a part of the cross of Calvary and which has been preserved for centuries on the territory of Zemo (Upper) Svaneti, in the village of Adishi (hence the name of the Gospel). "The Gospel of Adishi" is well known and intensively studied both in Georgia and abroad (in America, Belgium, Germany, etc.).
Museum of History and ethnography in Svaneti is a unique place where valuable archaeological and ethnographic materials are kept, as well as a rich collection of ancient Georgian manuscripts. Here you can see the oldest Gospel of the four dated (897) - "The Gospel of Adishi", "The Jerusalem Law" (10th century), "The Four Books of Mestia" (1033), other ancient editions of the Gospel, as well as many other valuable exhibits. A special place in the exhibition is occupied by bronze Syrian censers of the 6th century, reliquaries of the 10th-11th centuries, as well as ancient manuscripts made on parchment. Among other exhibits you can see a Sassanid silver jug of the 12th century, a Byzantine embroidered icon, a Venetian decorative cross of the 13th century and much more. The Christian cultural collections kept in Svaneti reflect the rich history and culture of this region. Among the numismatic collections, the coin of Alexander the Great attracts special attention, one of 337 coins minted in the name of Alexander the Great and discovered in Georgia.
But it is not only the museum collections that will make visitors think about the rich history of Svaneti. This region is famous for its natural beauty and unique architecture. Here you can see ancient guardian towers that were used by locals to protect themselves from enemies. They are a symbol of this region and have been awarded the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Svaneti is also known for its traditional crafts such as embroidery, carpet weaving and wood carving. Many of these crafts are still practiced by locals, and you can see them creating their unique products. For example, in Svaneti, craftsmen make traditional Svan shoes, which are known for their durability and comfort, as well as various textiles, such as hand embroideries and fabrics.
Another interesting attraction in Svaneti is the Khashkhri Fortress. It is located on a hill and is one of the most ancient and powerful fortresses in Georgia. In the Khashkhri Fortress, you can see beautiful frescoes painted on the walls of the church, which date back to the 11th century. In addition, in the Khashkhri Fortress, you can enjoy a stunning view of the Svaneti mountains.
If you like active recreation, then Svaneti also has a lot to offer. Here you can go hiking and explore picturesque mountain trails that lead to beautiful waterfalls and lakes. Skiing is also a popular type of active recreation in Svaneti. There are several ski resorts here that offer quality slopes for lovers of this sport. In addition, Svaneti is a popular tourist destination for adventure and extreme tourism lovers. Here you can go rock climbing, paragliding, hiking in the mountains, horse riding, fishing or take a catamaran ride on the river.
In Svaneti, you can also get acquainted with the unique architecture. Wooden towers located in mountain villages are a symbol of the region. They were built in the Middle Ages as protection from enemies and were used as residential buildings. Some of them reach a height of up to 30 meters and are considered the tallest wooden towers in the world.
In addition, Svaneti is home to unique cave churches carved into the rocks. These churches were created in the Middle Ages and are evidence of the rich history of the region. They are decorated with colorful frescoes and are important cultural heritage sites.
It is also worth noting that famous Georgian cheeses are produced in Svaneti. Svan cheese, made from cow's milk, has a unique taste and aroma and is one of the most popular cheeses in Georgia.
In conclusion, we can say that Svaneti is a unique region of Georgia, rich in history and cultural heritage, and also offers many opportunities for active and interesting recreation. By visiting this region, you will be able to experience real Georgian hospitality and learn more about the life and traditions of local residents.
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