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Ushguli: where is it and what is there to see?

One of the highest settlements in Europe: towers, churches, Mount Shkhara.

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Short answer

Ushguli is in Svaneti at 2,200 metres on the slopes of Mount Shkhara and has five small villages, and its authentic architecture is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Ushguli community has five small villages. It is one of the highest settlements in Europe and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its authentic architecture.

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Why

  1. Ushguli lies high in the mountains of Svaneti, on the slopes of Shkhara peak.
  2. The Svan towers and architecture put the villages on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
  3. The community has five small villages, so seeing it takes longer than one dot on a map suggests.

Details

Sights include dozens of Svan towers, a 12th–13th-century fortress from Queen Tamar's reign, Lamaria Mother of God Church, an archaeological museum, the summer and winter towers of King Tamar and St. Barbare Church in Murqmeli village. Above the villages rises Shkhara, 5,201 metres, Georgia's highest peak. Ushguli connects to the outside world by the Ushguli-Mestia road and the seasonal Ushguli-Lentekhi road, which can be used only in the warm season, mostly from late spring to early fall. For the region see where is Svaneti and what to see in Svaneti.

Tip

Use the Lentekhi road only in the warm season, because it is often completely covered in snow for the other half of the year.

What may differ

Seasonal access depends on weather and the year, so check road conditions before you travel.

People also ask

  • Where is Ushguli?
  • What is there to see in Ushguli?

Sources

This is reference information. Rely on official sources and check before you travel.

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