MOUNTAIN REGIONS OF GEORGIA

The major part of the territory of Georgia is mountainous, therefore some of its regions like Khevsureti, Svaneti, Tusheti, Pshavi, Mtiuleti, Khevi ans Racha are hidden is high mountains. Each of them has its own history and traditions but they all have something in common: deep gorges, dense forests, sub-alpine and alpine meadows and of course the Great Caucasus mountains. In winter most of these regions are cut off by snow, communities are isolated and locked among the gorges.

The valleys, flanked by jagged peaks, lead up to glaciers and ice cold waterfalls. Slopes are dotted with little villages, hilltops are crowned with churches and fortresses, but scenic landscapes are not the only thing mountains can offer.
Travelling in the mountains is an experience for live! Little has changed there since the Middle Ages. The fields are still worked with the scythe, and the ox and cart still remain the usual mode of transport. The people in the mountains live in a world of their own. They are proud and haughty as they have never had a master ruling over them. Even the continual aggressions of the enemy could not break their bellicose character. Although Christians, their religious practice still includes some pagan elements. Of course, ancient customs and traditions are very closely followed. In some parts the blood feud was observed even in the 20th century.

Khevsureti is a historic province in East Georgia, located along both the northern and southern slopes of the Great Caucasus mountains. The name means “land of gorges” in Georgian. Khevsureti is well known for its fortified villages. Locals would build their houses very close to each other so that together houses would make one single fortification. Everything was thoroughly taken into consideration for protecting themselves and repelling the enemy. Even entrance doors to houses are very low – inconvenient, of course, but it made difficult for an armed enemy to enter. Best examples of fortified villages are Shatili, Mutso and Ardoti.

Svaneti is a region of the highest mountains located in the northwestern part of the country. Surrounded by 3,000-5,000 metre peaks, Upper Svaneti is also the highest permanently inhabited area in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Indigenous Svan people created authentic culture unlike any other in the world. With its breath-taking landscapes, architectural treasures, meadiaeval watchtowers (9th-12th centuries) and ancient traditionas the region is legendary among travellers.

Khevi is a small historical area in northeastern Georgia. The landscape of the region is dominated by alpine meadows dotted with mountain passes and waterfalls.  Khevi is also home to the third highest peak in Georgia – Mt Kazbegi (5047m) locally known as Mkinvartsveri (“ice-top”). Since ancient times, Khevi has been of great strategic and military importance as one of the main routes connecting North and South Caucasus passed through the region.

Tusheti is one of the most beautiful and remote mountain regions of Georgia, with its amazing alpine meadows, snowy mountains, glaciers and a variety of forests. It is one of the most ecologically unspoiled regions in the Caucasus. The area comprises ten villages with Omalo being the largest.