Georgia, Mestia: attractions, photo

At the confluence of the rivers Mulahur and Mestiachala is located a small Svanian town of Mestia (Georgia), whose sights we will consider in the article. It lies surrounded by mountains. From the north it is covered by the stunningly beautiful mountain of Tskhavzagari, from the south - the unique mountain range of Zuruldi, from the east - the mighty mountain range of Banguriani, and from the west - the magnificent and picturesque peak of Laila. The urban settlement of Mestia (Georgia), home to about two and a half thousand people, is located at a height of one and a half kilometers above sea level. This district center has a length of about six kilometers.

Mestia (Georgia) is a very ancient city, medieval castles and temples have been preserved there. Only the oldest towers 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? It is best for tourists to tell about the history of this amazing land, which is inhabited by proud and strong people, in the Historical and Ethnographic Museum. It was founded in the thirties of last century. In its spacious halls there are unique exhibits. Visitors can see personally the collection of icons, dating from the ninth century.

Also in the museum there is an old weapon, because the population of the town since ancient times engaged in hunting, ancient manuscripts, and, of course, household items that the local population used for centuries. Some rare exhibits were brought from other cities and villages of Georgia. In the halls of the museum are interiors of dwellings. Also there are clothes. And also presented an interesting collection of local musical instruments, which were used at weddings, held with an unprecedented scale, and 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, what is noteworthy, many of them have masters, whose family had such a temple for many years. Sometimes tourists have to first find the owners of an ancient family building to open it and inspect it inside. In addition, each kind has its own cemetery.

Svan towers

Where is it worth making beautiful pictures to those who are interested in Georgia, Mestia? Photos in the old part of the town will be quite unusual. After all, there are the famous Svan towers. They differ from each other in structure, internal structure and, of course, in age. Some were built about a thousand years ago, others are more than seven hundred. Not all of them are equally preserved. Depending on the functions they performed, the towers were watchtowers and signal ones. Most of the time did not spare the defensive. When passions raged in these parts, and blood feuds were on the way, some of the towers that belonged to a certain family could hide not only family members, but also livestock. Since this is a mountainous area, in winter, these buildings were sheltered from avalanches and snow falls. All towers have a log as an entrance, you can get into it only by a ladder, and the entire first floor is a solid foundation that gives super strength to the structure. Upstairs there is an observation deck. If one climbs up one of these towers, the mountain view opens to the gaze of the traveler, regardless of whether it is summer or winter.

Unusual to some travelers may seem the content in Mestia of livestock. Cows, for example, as a rule, no one graze. Animals themselves go to pastures, and in due time return in the evening to the master's yard. Although sometimes such carelessness is the cause of losses. Since bears and wolves are found in the mountains and, in some cases, not all livestock return home.

Hatzvali Resort

What is famous for Mestia, Georgia? Ski resort Hatzvali should be visited by every lover of winter sports.

It is located at a distance of seven kilometers. This is a true pilgrimage place for lovers of alpine skiing and mountaineers from all over the world. The height of this type of tourism is in December-April. Just three years ago, new cable cars were installed here . There are tracks specially illuminated for night skiing. The resort has created conditions for lovers of outdoor activities with varying degrees of preparation. To this end, six tracks of different complexity are equipped. The longest of them is more than two and a half kilometers. It's called the blue track. It is most popular. Red line is intended for professionals of extra class. And beginners skiing can safely master the green route, which is also designed for children. A four-chair lift with a length of about one thousand four hundred meters is working harmoniously. And, of course, for the convenience of tourists in the resort are cozy cafe and bars with a wonderful selection of wines, dishes and the unrivaled hospitality of the hosts. Restaurants are located on the lower and upper stations of the cable car. There, travelers can drink a cup of hot tea, cocoa or refresh themselves.

What else is Mestia proud of (Georgia)? The cable car, which is on the ridge of Zuruldi. It should be seen by every tourist. It works both in winter and in summer, as well as the one that is in the resort of Khatzvali.

"Misha's Day"

This region became famous as the homeland of legendary man Mikhail Vissarionovich Hergani. Born in a family of inveterate climbers, Hergan became a seven-time champion of the Soviet Union in mountaineering.

It was he who dedicated his song "To the Top" the famous Vladimir Vysotsky. Yuri Vizbor and Yevgeny Yevtushenko also devoted their poems to the brave climber. Unfortunately, as a result of the tragic accident, Hergani was killed in Italy during the conquest of the rock of Su-Alto. On the site of his death, the Italians established a monument, and buried a famous mountaineer in his homeland, near Mestia. Friends nicknamed Hergani "Tiger of the rocks." Every summer, in memory of this amazingly brave man in his homeland, there is a celebration "Misha's Day" or, as the local people say, "Mishaoba".

In honor of Hergani, a climbing prize was established. In the village of Lagami there is a museum dedicated to this climber, an international sports master. In it, besides personal things, there are photos made by Hergani.

After all, except mountaineering, this extraordinary man was fond of photography. Here are collected numerous awards of Mikhail Vissarionovich.

Mestia (Georgia): sights of the city and the surrounding villages

In the same village there is a 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 century. On the ground floor, the eyes of the traveler will be presented with paintings and fragments of the oldest frescoes. In this church the icon of Christ the Savior, made in the thirteenth century, is kept. It is engraved with gold and silver. In addition to the magnificent decoration inside the temple, its exterior has no less artistic value. So on the northern facade depicts the expulsion of Adam and Eve from paradise. And on the eastern side - 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 first floor of which are three tombs. On the second floor you can see the wonderful frescos depicting Our Lady. In addition, on the wall there is an image of Demeter Chartvelani, who built this temple. And also the image of the righteous Dzhaparidze and seven other historical figures of Georgia. The interior of the church refers to the first half of the fourteenth century.

What else is rich in Georgia? Mestia is a city in which there are several sources of mineral water. Three of them are located on the bank of the Malakhuri River. Another one right in the center of the town.

What other wealth does Georgia hide? Mestia is a city with a lot of attractions. Among the natural, mention should be made of the Chaaladi glacier. It is located on the southern slope of the Caucasian ridge, at the very source of the Mestia-Chala river. This is the only glacier that is in the forest zone, its height is 1850 meters. He eats snow from the mountain peaks of Dalakori, Chatini and Bzhedukhi. Another unsurpassed miracle of nature is rightly considered to be Lake Korundi.

Weather

Before you poison yourself in this small town, you should see the weather forecast. Mestia (Georgia) is located in a temperate climate.

In summer, the temperature is an average of seventeen degrees above zero. It often rains. The warmest month is July. Winters are very harsh, which is not surprising for the highlands, with an average temperature of about six degrees below zero. The coldest month is January. The influx of tourists to these lands falls on the summer.

In addition to sightseeing, people can be offered exciting horseback riding in such a picturesque area. In the summer, lovers of hiking come to Mestia. During them you can admire incredibly beautiful mountain landscapes. Therefore, there are many hiking routes for tourists.

Mestia, Georgia. How to get there?

Six years ago an airport was opened in Mestia. It was designed by the German designer and designer Mayer. The building is of a very unusual shape, its lateral parts are slightly elevated, and on the one hand seem to be the lower part of the giant "C". The airport was named after the Georgian queen Tamara. Therefore, you can get to Mestia by the airway. A small plane, designed for fifteen passengers, flies daily from Tbilisi to Mestia. Tickets can be booked online.

Also from Tbilisi to Mestia there is a shuttle bus from the stop near the metro station "Didube". And you can also 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 bus to Mestia. You can, again, take a taxi. If you travel in the early spring, it should be borne in mind that drivers take more. Since at this time of year the road in the mountains is very dangerous.

You can get to Mestia not only from Tbilisi, but also from Kutaisi on the minibus from the bus station. You can take the bus to Mestia and from the bus station in Batumi. Of course, you can go on a trip and on your own car. In any case, the tourists are waiting for the stunning scenery, especially when the road passes by the Inguri reservoir.

Surrounded by green hills, the crystal clear surface of the pond gives off a slightly greenish tinge. And the route through Zygudi is generally the dream of any motorist. Excellent condition of the road will please each of them. The apiaries settled along it. If desired, travelers can buy real honey from beekeepers.

Opinion of tourists

What do people who were on holiday in this place say? They really liked Georgia, Mestia. Travelers' comments leave only positive. The vacationers who have visited Mestia are delighted with the hospitality of the owners of this region. Worthy to meet, treat and feed the traveler is considered here a matter of honor. Of course, hotels and guest houses provide their services for a fee. But, unfortunately, far from all cities of the world, guests are greeted with such impeccable service and cordiality as in Mestia (Georgia).

In order to travel from Mestia on a tour to the nearest villages, you can hire a car, usually offering a jeep.

Accommodation for tourists

Travelers can rent different accommodations in Mestia (Georgia). You can stop in the city either in one of three hotels, or in one of twenty guest houses. Rooms in them can be booked even without prepayment. With great warmth and enthusiasm, tourists speak about their stay at the Tetnuldi Hotel. Very popular is the family gastro-hotel "Laleta", located five kilometers from Mestia. If tourists wish to stay in the city itself, then almost in the center, there is a very good guest house "At Marina".

In the very center of Mestia there is a new hotel Guesthouse Mestia 32. It has very cozy rooms. And also there is a very good guest house Svan-Ski, from the windows of which a magnificent view of the mountains. Here, as in other hotels, you can order lunch and dinner.

As for food, you can eat deliciously at any cafe. But as in many other countries of the world, the institutions that are located on the outskirts of the city, with the same menu and impeccable service, have prices slightly lower than in the center.

A small conclusion

Now you know the interesting Mestia (Georgia). What to see, walks where to make 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 provided in the article will help you.