The church of the Virgin stands in Dartlo, one of the best known villages of Tusheti. Stone houses and watchtowers above the Pirikiti gorge make up the view people come here for; the village lies above two thousand metres.
It can only be reached in the warm season: the road into Tusheti crosses the Abano pass and is open roughly from June to October, while in winter access ceases and the residents come down to Kvemo Alvani at the foot of the mountains. Further down the valley lies Omalo, the main village of Tusheti, and to the east Shenako with its church of Saint George.
The pass is passable only by four-wheel drive; an ordinary car will not manage it. Travel with daylight to spare and check the weather in advance. Dress with shoulders and knees covered and treat the building with care.
📍 In brief
- A church of the Virgin Mary in a high-mountain Tusheti village
- Dartlo in the Pirikiti gorge, above two thousand metres
- The Abano pass road is open roughly from June to October
🚗 Getting there
- Landmark - the village of Dartlo in the Pirikiti gorge, from Akhmeta via Omalo and the Abano pass
- For navigation tap Build Route
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