Upper Svaneti, Mountain region and heritage site in Mestia Municipality, Georgia
Upper Svaneti is a mountain region marked by medieval stone towers rising across settlements set against the Greater Caucasus. These villages sit at elevations above 2100 meters and feature distinctive tower houses that form the backbone of the region's landscape.
Local inhabitants built over 200 defensive stone towers between the 9th and 12th centuries to protect their settlements from attack. These structures remained inhabited by families through the centuries and continue to define the region's character.
The Svan people speak their own language and maintain traditions visible in their stone tower houses that continue to be lived in today. Walking through the villages, you can observe how locals keep these customs alive through daily life and family practices.
Visitors access the region via mountain roads leading to Mestia, where accommodation and local guides are available for exploring nearby villages. The best time to visit is from May through October, when mountain roads are passable and weather conditions are more stable.
Ushguli village comprises five medieval settlements at the head of the Enguri gorge and stands among Europe's highest permanently inhabited places. Its remote location and harsh weather have kept this settlement largely unchanged over the centuries.
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