Add organization

What is Ushguli, and is it really the highest inhabited place in Europe?

Svan towers and the altitude debate.

Answered at: Checked at:

Short answer

Ushguli, a village in Svaneti known for its Svan towers, was long considered the highest inhabited point in Europe. The village of Bochorna in Tusheti, at about 2,345 meters, is now regarded as the highest inhabited settlement in Europe. Check Ushguli's own altitude before you go.

Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti: places and reviews faq-cover-facts-about-georgia.png

Why

  1. Ushguli has long been known for its Svan towers, which is how it gained its reputation as Europe's highest inhabited place.
  2. More recently Bochorna in Tusheti has been regarded as the highest inhabited settlement in Europe, at 2,345 meters.
  3. Bochorna had one permanent resident, so such records depend on what counts as inhabited.

Details

Ushguli is in Svaneti, a high-mountain region of the Greater Caucasus. Tusheti and Svaneti lie on the same mountain range but are vastly different. Bochorna is about 12 km from Omalo, and the trip takes at least four hours.

To see where Svaneti is and how to get there, read where Svaneti is, and for sights see what to see in Svaneti.

Tip

Do not call Ushguli the highest village in Europe without a caveat: that title belongs to Bochorna, and Ushguli was only long regarded that way.

What may differ

The highest settlement in Europe is named differently. Bochorna is also called one of the highest settlements in Europe.

Common misconception

Ushguli is the highest inhabited place in Europe.

What actually happens

Ushguli was long considered so, but today Bochorna in Tusheti (2,345 m) is named the highest inhabited settlement in Europe.

People also ask

  • What is Ushguli?
  • Is the highest village in Europe in Georgia?

Sources

This answer is for reference, so check the details before you go.

Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti: places and reviews
Help