Mestia Municipality
Mestia in Upper Svaneti: Svan towers, UNESCO-listed Ushguli, Svaneti Museum, Tetnuldi and Hatsvali ski resorts, Koruldi lakes.
Mestia Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
Mestia Municipality covers Upper (Zemo) Svaneti, the high mountain north of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, with the townlet of Mestia as its administrative centre, at about 1,500 m above sea level. With more than 3,000 km², it is one of Georgia’s largest municipalities, set in the upper valley of the Enguri River and its tributaries — the Mulkhra, Adishischala, Dolra and Nenskra — and surrounded by some 200 glaciers. To the north the main Caucasus ridge forms the border with Russia; here rises Shkhara (5,203 m), the highest peak in Georgia.
Svaneti is famous for its medieval tower houses: stone towers of three to five storeys, built for defence and as symbols of family strength, which still dominate the villages. In 1996 UNESCO inscribed Upper Svaneti on the World Heritage List, protecting the village of Chazhashi in Ushguli — a community of five villages at about 2,100 m at the head of the Enguri gorge, among the highest permanently inhabited settlements in Europe. Ushguli’s Lamaria church and the dramatic backdrop of Shkhara make it one of Georgia’s most iconic landscapes.
Svaneti preserved extraordinary medieval art. In Latali, the Church of the Saviour (Matskhvarishi) holds frescoes dated by inscription to 1140 by the painter Michael Maglakeli, and the church of Kvirike and Ivlita (Lagurka) in Khe, Kala community, was painted by Tevdore in 1111/1112; its Kvirikoba festival is held on 28 July. Many of the region’s treasures — manuscripts, icons and metalwork — are kept in the Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography in Mestia, founded in 1936. Mestia, historically called Seti, has been a townlet since 1968 and also has the house-museum of the famous climber Mikheil Khergiani (1932–1969).
Today Svaneti is a year-round mountain destination. Hatsvali ski resort is connected by cable car to the centre of Mestia, and Tetnuldi, opened in the 2015–2016 season beneath the 4,858 m peak of the same name, offers one of the longest runs in the Caucasus. In summer, popular hikes lead to the Chalaadi glacier and the alpine Koruldi lakes (about 2,760 m), and the classic multi-day trek connects Mestia with Ushguli. Mestia is served by Queen Tamar Airport.
For travellers, plan at least two or three days: explore Mestia’s towers and museum, hike to Koruldi or Chalaadi, drive or trek to Ushguli, and visit the frescoed churches of Latali and Lagurka. Winter brings skiing in Hatsvali and Tetnuldi, while summer and early autumn are best for trekking.
FAQ
1) Where is Mestia Municipality located?
In Upper Svaneti, the high mountain north of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, bordering Russia.
2) What is the administrative centre?
The townlet of Mestia, at about 1,500 m above sea level.
3) Is Upper Svaneti a UNESCO site?
Yes, Upper Svaneti was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1996, with Chazhashi village in Ushguli.
4) What is Ushguli?
A community of five villages at about 2,100 m at the head of the Enguri gorge.
5) What are Svan towers?
Medieval stone tower houses of three to five storeys, built for defence.
6) What is the highest peak?
Shkhara, 5,203 m, on the border with Russia.
7) When was the Svaneti Museum founded?
In 1936; it holds manuscripts, icons and metalwork of the region.
8) Which ski resorts are near Mestia?
Hatsvali, connected by cable car to Mestia, and Tetnuldi, opened in the 2015–2016 season.
9) Which hikes are popular?
Koruldi lakes, Chalaadi glacier and the multi-day trek from Mestia to Ushguli.
10) Where can I find official municipal information?
On the municipality’s official website.