Ushguli & Chazhashi
Ushguli:
Ushguli is a community located in the Mestia municipality. It is considered one of the highest inhabited settlements, situated at an elevation of up to 2,200 meters above sea level and located within an avalanche-prone zone.
Chazhashi:
Chazhashi is one of the villages of the Ushguli community, transformed into a museum and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The complex comprises 13 towers, 4 fortified dwellings, 21 machubs (traditional Svan houses), 11 folk residences, and over a dozen auxiliary structures. Among the villages of the Ushguli community, Chazhashi preserves the greatest number of Svan towers.
Ushguli is a community located in the Mestia municipality. It is considered one of the highest inhabited settlements, situated at an elevation of up to 2,200 meters above sea level and located within an avalanche-prone zone.
Chazhashi:
Chazhashi is one of the villages of the Ushguli community, transformed into a museum and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The complex comprises 13 towers, 4 fortified dwellings, 21 machubs (traditional Svan houses), 11 folk residences, and over a dozen auxiliary structures. Among the villages of the Ushguli community, Chazhashi preserves the greatest number of Svan towers.
Ushguli:
The etymology of Ushguli is linked to the phrase “fearless heart.” We can confidently say that a settlement existed here at least as early as the 9th–10th centuries. Historically, Ushguli was a territory without a ruling prince. The locals killed seven nobles who sought to dominate the area. Due to its natural location, Ushguli was isolated from the rest of Svaneti, and even traveling to the nearest community, located 7 kilometers away, was quite difficult. In 1987, following a massive avalanche, the local inhabitants became eco-migrants. Today, approximately 200 people live in Ushguli.
Did you know that…
1. Ushguli was the residence of the Svan princes, the Farjanian-Vardanidze-Marushiani family.
2. After the unification of Svaneti was dissolved, Ushguli became part of the so-called Free Svaneti, but until 1810, it remained within the Kingdom of Imereti alongside Racha.
3. Throughout its history, the Ushguli community resisted numerous oppressors, the last of whom was Futa Dadeshkeliani in the second half of the 17th century. The entire village united to kill him inside the Ushguli Lamaria Church.
4. Ushguli preserves the ruins of one of Svaneti’s largest fortresses, associated with Queen Tamar and dating from the 12th to 13th centuries. The complex includes residential, agricultural, and religious buildings - including 37 towers - as well as symbols of princely authority such as scepters and thrones.
Chazhashi:
Chazhashi is distinguished by its defensive architecture. The complex preserves towers dating from the 10th to 12th centuries, some of which served defensive purposes and were used during blood feuds or other conflicts between families. To the south of the village, on a hill, stands a fortress dating from the 12th to 13th centuries that overlooks all four villages of Ushguli. According to tradition, this was Queen Tamar’s summer residence. Near the village, there is also a medieval tower known as Queen Tamar’s summer tower. Did you know that…
1. In Svaneti, "Chazhashi" means "horse stable." According to legend, Queen Tamar, when traveling to Ushguli, used to keep her horses in this village.
2. In Chazhashi stands a stone church dating back to the 11th–12th centuries, surrounded by a defensive wall. The church is adorned with frescoes: the apse features a scene of the Pentecost and archangels; the northern wall depicts the Crucifixion, Annunciation, and Dormition of the Theotokos, while the southern wall displays the Ascension, Transfiguration, and other biblical scenes.
