At the confluence of the Mulahura and Mestiachala rivers, there is a small Svan town, Mestia (Georgia), the sights of which we will consider in the article. It lies surrounded by mountains. In the north, it is covered by the stunningly beautiful mountain Tskhakvzagari, in the south - the unique Zuruldi mountain range, in the east - the mighty Banguriani mountain range, and in the west - the magnificent and picturesque peak of Laila. The urban-type village of Mestia (Georgia), in which about two and a half thousand people live, is located at an altitude of one and a half kilometers above sea level. This district center has a length of about six kilometers.
Mestia (Georgia) is a very old city; medieval castles and temples have been preserved in it. The oldest towers alone number more than three hundred. Therefore, the city is poetically called the "country of a thousand towers." The ancient fortifications of Mestia are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Historical and Ethnographic Museum: Description
What is worth seeing for those who are interested in Georgia, Mestia? Tourists will be best told about the history of this amazing land, inhabited by proud and strong people, in the Historical and Ethnographic Museum. It was founded in the thirties of the last century. In its spacious rooms are unique exhibits. Visitors can personally see a collection of icons dating from the ninth century.
The museum also has ancient weapons, because the population of the town has been hunting since ancient times, ancient manuscripts, and, of course, household items that have been used by the local population for centuries. Some rare exhibits were delivered from other cities and villages of Georgia. The halls of the museum are equipped with interiors of dwellings. Also there are items of clothing. It also presents an interesting collection of local musical instruments that were used at weddings held on an unprecedented scale, and were accompanied by bewitching singing. After all, this area is the birthplace of the famous Georgian polyphony, which is recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage.
Temples that have owners
In Mestia there are small churches, and, notably, many of them have owners whose family has owned such a temple for many years. Sometimes tourists have to first find the owners of an ancient family building in order to open it and look inside. In addition, each genus has its own cemetery.
Svan towers
Where is it worth taking beautiful pictures to those who are interested in Georgia, Mestia? Photos in the old part of the town will turn out quite unusual. After all, the famous Svan towers are located there. They differ from each other in structure, internal structure and, of course, in age. Some were built about a thousand years ago, others more than seven hundred. Not all of them are equally preserved. Depending on the functions that they performed, the towers were watch and signal. Most of all, the defensive did not spare the time. When passions raged in these parts, and there was blood feud in the course , then in some towers that belonged to a certain genus, not only family members, but also livestock could take refuge. Since this is a mountainous area, in winter in these structures they took refuge from avalanches and snowfalls. All towers have a manhole as an entrance, you can climb into it only by a ladder, and the entire first floor is a solid foundation that gives extra strength to the structure. Upstairs is equipped with an observation deck. If you climb up one of these towers, then the gaze of the traveler will reveal an unprecedented mountain landscape, regardless of whether it is summer or winter.
Unusual for some travelers, livestock may seem to be in Mestia. Cows, for example, as a rule, no one grazes. Animals themselves go to pasture, and in due time return in the evening to the master's yard. Although sometimes such carelessness causes losses. Since there are bears and wolves in the mountains and, in some cases, not all cattle return home.
Hatsvali resort
What is Mestia, Georgia famous for? Hatsvali ski resort should be visited by every lover of winter sports.
It is located at a distance of seven kilometers. This is a real place of pilgrimage for ski lovers and climbers from all over the world. The height of this type of tourism falls on December-April. Just three years ago, new cable cars were installed here. There are tracks specially lit for night skiing. The resort has created conditions for outdoor enthusiasts with varying degrees of training. For this purpose, six tracks of varying difficulty are equipped. The longest of them is more than two and a half kilometers. It is called the blue track. She is most popular. The red line is designed for extra-class professionals. And beginners of alpine skiing can safely master the green track, which is also intended for children. A four-chair lift works about one thousand four hundred meters long. And, of course, for the convenience of holidaymakers, the resort has the most comfortable cafes and bars with an excellent assortment of wines, dishes and unrivaled hospitality of the hosts. Restaurants are located on the lower and upper cableway stations. There, travelers can enjoy a cup of hot tea, cocoa or refreshments.
What else is Mestia (Georgia) proud of? The cable car that is on the Zuruldi mountain range. It is worth seeing for every tourist. It works both in winter and summer, like the one located in the resort of Hatsvali.
"Misha's Day"
This land became famous as the birthplace of the legendary man Mikhail Vissarionovich Hergani. Born in a family of avid climbers, Hergani became the seven-time champion of the Soviet Union in mountaineering.
The famous Vladimir Vysotsky dedicated his song “To the Top” to him. Yuri Vizbor and Yevgeny Yevtushenko also dedicated their poems to a brave climber. Unfortunately, as a result of a tragic accident, Hergani died in Italy during the conquest of the rock of Su Alto. At the place of his death, the Italians erected a monument, and the illustrious climber was buried in his homeland, not far from Mestia. Friends nicknamed Hergani "Tiger Rocks." Every summer, in memory of this amazingly brave man, Misha Day is celebrated in his homeland, or, as the locals say, Mishaoba.
A climbing prize was instituted in honor of Hergani. In the village of Lagami there is a museum dedicated to this climber, an international master of sports. In addition to personal belongings, it contains photographs taken by Hergani.
Indeed, besides mountaineering, this extraordinary person was also fond of photography. Here are collected numerous awards of Mikhail Vissarionovich.
Mestia (Georgia): sights of the city and surrounding villages
In the same village is the temple of the Transfiguration of the Savior. The first floor of this Orthodox shrine was built in the ninth century, and the second in the thirteenth. On the ground floor, the traveler will see paintings and fragments of the oldest frescoes. This church houses the icon of Christ the Savior, made in the thirteenth century. It is engraved in gold and silver. In addition to the magnificent decoration inside the temple, its external side has no less artistic value. So on the northern facade depicts the expulsion of Adam and Eve from paradise. And on the east side is the hunt of St. Eustathius.
This is not the only temple that deserves the attention of tourists. Nearby, in the village of Lehtagi is the church of St. John the Baptist. It was built in the nineteenth century on the ruins of an ancient monastery. In the same village is the church of the Holy Virgin Mary (Lamaria). This is a two-story building, on the ground floor of which there are three tombs. On the second floor you can see wonderful frescoes depicting the Virgin. In addition, on the wall there is an image of Demeter Chartvelani, who built this temple. As well as the image of the righteous Japaridze and seven other historical figures of Georgia. The interior of the church dates back to the first half of the fourteenth century.
What else is Georgia rich in? Mestia is a city in which there are several sources of mineral water. Three of them are located on the banks of the Malakhuri River. Another right in the center of the town.
What other wealth is Georgia hiding? Mestia is a city with a lot of attractions. Among the natural ones, the Chaaladi Glacier should be mentioned. It is located on the southern slope of the Caucasus Range, at the very source of the Mestia-Chala River. This is the only glacier located in the forest zone, its height is 1850 meters. It eats snows from the mountain peaks of Dalacori, Chatini and Bjeduhi. Another unrivaled natural wonder is Lake Corundi.
Weather
Before poisoning in this small town, it is worth looking at the weather forecast. Mestia (Georgia) is located in a mild climate.
In summer, the temperature averages seventeen degrees above zero. It often rains here. The warmest month is July. Winters are very severe, which is not surprising for highlands, with an average temperature of about six degrees below zero. The coldest is January. The influx of tourists in these parts falls in the summer.
In addition to sightseeing, people can offer exciting horseback riding in such a picturesque area. In summer, hiking enthusiasts come to Mestia. During them you can admire the incredibly beautiful mountain landscapes. Therefore, many hiking trails for tourists have been developed here.
Mestia, Georgia. How to get there
Six years ago, an airport opened in Mestia. It was designed by the German designer and designer Mayer. The building is very unusual in shape, its side parts are slightly elevated, and on the one hand appear to be the lower part of the giant letter “C”. The airport was named after the Georgian Queen Tamara. Therefore, you can get to Mestia by air. A small plane with a capacity of fifteen passengers flies daily from Tbilisi to Mestia. Tickets can be booked online.
Also from Tbilisi to Mestia there is a minibus from a stop near the Didube metro station. And you can use the services of taxi drivers, which will be about two and a half times more expensive.
To get to Mestia, you can use rail and road transport. By train "Tbilisi-Zugdidi", to the station "Zugdidi". Such a journey will take about nine hours. Then take a minibus to Mestia. You can, again, take a taxi. If you travel in early spring, it should be borne in mind that drivers charge more. Since at this time of the year the road in the mountains is very dangerous.
You can get to Mestia not only from Tbilisi, but also from Kutaisi by minibus from the bus station. You can take a bus to Mestia and from the bus station in Batumi. Of course, you can go on a trip with your own car. In any case, stunning landscapes await tourists, especially when the road passes by the Inguri reservoir.
Surrounded by green hills, the crystal clear surface of the reservoir gives a slightly greenish tint. And the route through Zigudi is generally the dream of any motorist. The excellent condition of the road will delight each of them. Along it were apiaries. If desired, travelers can buy real honey from beekeepers.
Opinion of tourists
What do people who were on vacation in this place say? They really liked Georgia, Mestia. Travelers leave only positive reviews. Vacationers who have visited Mestia enthusiastically narrate the hospitality of the owners of this region. It is a matter of honor to meet, treat and feed the traveler. Of course, hotels and guest houses provide their services for a fee. But, unfortunately, far from in all cities of the world, guests are greeted with such impeccable service and cordiality, as in Mestia (Georgia).
In order to go from Mestia on an excursion to the nearest villages, you can hire a car, as a rule, they offer a jeep.
Accommodation for tourists
Travelers can rent different types of housing in Mestia (Georgia). You can stay in the city either in one of the three hotels, or in one of twenty guest houses. Rooms can be booked even without prepayment. With great warmth and enthusiasm, tourists respond about their stay at the Tetnuldi Hotel. Very popular is the family-owned gastro-hotel Laleta, located five kilometers from Mestia. If tourists still want to stay in the city itself, then almost in the center, there is a very nice guest house, “Marina.”
In the very center of Mestia, the new Guesthouse Mestia 32 is located. It has very comfortable rooms. Also nearby is the very nice Svan-Ski Guesthouse, which offers magnificent mountain views. Here, as in other hotels, you can order lunch and dinner.
As for food, you can eat deliciously in any cafe. But, as in many other countries of the world, institutions located on the outskirts of the city, with the same menu and excellent service, have prices slightly lower than in the center.
Little conclusion
Now you know how interesting Mestia (Georgia) is. What to watch, where to go for walks in this city? There are many places. You can visit both shrines and reservoirs, ponds and mountains with beautiful nature. Choose what you like. We hope that the information presented in the article will help you.