A village shrine of Saint George. The word khati translates as icon, but in the mountain tradition its meaning is wider: a khati is a local holy place tied to a community. Sometimes it is a chapel, sometimes a stone or a tree, sometimes a small structure with a venerated image inside. The eastern Georgian highlands have kept this practice for centuries.
Mezvriantkari lies west of Dusheti, in the foothills of Mtskheta Mtianeti. The village name translates roughly as the yard of the vine growers, from the Georgian mevene, and it suits these hills well. Do not expect a full church with regular services here: this is a shrine of the mountain kind.
The place can be approached at any time, with the last stretch on foot. The rules are simple and binding: move nothing, leave candles and offerings alone, keep quiet. Dress modestly, women wear a headscarf.
📍 In brief
- A village shrine of Saint George rather than a parish church
- The foothills of Mtskheta Mtianeti, west of Dusheti
- In highland Georgia a khati means a holy place, not only an icon
🚗 Getting there
- Landmark - the village of Mezvriantkari west of Dusheti; the last metres are on foot along a dirt track
- A route is built with the Build Route button
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