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Mtskheta-Mtianeti Mtskheta-Mtianeti is one of the most visited Administrative Regions in Georgia. It is very close to the capital Tbilisi and offers numerous cultural and scenic highlights, such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mtskheta, Ananuri Fortified Church, Military Road, Gergetis Sameba, Kazbek Mountain, etc. The main roads as well as most of the rural roads in the region are in good condition, allowing visitors to visit the region even in winter. Mtskheta-Mtianeti includes several historical-geographical areas of Georgia, such as Kazbegi, Tianetia, Dusheti, Pshavi, Khevsureti and part of Inner Kartlia. To the north, Mtskheta-Mtianeti borders three republics of the Russian Federation: Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia. General information Surface: 6785 km2 Structure of administrative region The administrative region of Mtskheta - Mtianeti was established between 1994 and 1996 by decree of the President of Georgia and consists of several historical regions such as Khevi, Tianeti, Fshavi, Khevsureti, Mtiuleti and Gudamakari. Cultural and natural highlights The region is rich in cultural highlights. Two of Georgia's four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Jvari Monastery and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, are located here. Some 40 kilometres along the famous Military Road is the beautifully situated fortified church of Ananuri, and further north in the village of Stepantsminda is the country's most visited church, Gergetis Sameba. The administrative region also includes the fortified villages of Khevsureti, Shatili and Mutso. Mtskheta-Mtianeti also has a lot to offer in terms of scenery: Gudauri ski resort about 130 kilometres north of Tbilisi, the village of Djuta and the Rocky Mountains of Chauchi, the valley in Truso, the lakes of Abudelauri, the 5,047-metre-high Kazbek Mountain and much more. Hiking routes There are many walking routes in the region. Some popular ones are 1. Hike from Gudauri to the Chada Valley Cuisine and regional specialities Most of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region is mountainous, with little fruit and vegetables, but potatoes and, in the past, several special varieties of wheat, which are found only in mountainous areas. Livestock has also been reared here for centuries, so the traditional regional cuisine is dominated by meat, pasta and dairy products. The region's most famous dish is Khinkali, a Georgian dumpling made from minced beef and dark wheat dough. Apart from Khinkali, there are several other delicious specialities in the region and here is a small list of them: 1. Mkhlovana - spinach and beetroot leaves baked in dough, mixed with cheese. Interesting to know The areas of today's Mtskheta-Mtianeti have been inhabited since the early Bronze Age, and the historical regions that make up the region were independent principalities for centuries. However, the administrative unit of Mtskheta-Mtianeti was only created in the 90s of the 20th century. There are two cities (Mtskheta and Dusheti), seven small towns (urban-type settlements) and 582 villages in the region. Mineral resources There is tuff, marble and granite, but the riches of the region are numerous iron waters and mineral springs in Truso, Snotal, Stepanzminda, Kobi, etc. Flora and fauna Most common in the mountains are juniper, sea buckthorn, Caucasian rhododendron, but there are also wild pears, apples and some conifers. Wildlife includes wild goats, chamois, ibex, red deer, roe deer, wolves, foxes, bears, badgers, weasels and the occasional lynx. In the rivers there are Trout, Doebe, Chondrostoma, Varicorhinus, Barbel and Luciobarbus mursa. Bird species: mountain eagle, goshawk, bearded vulture, alpine crow, jackdaw, Caucasian kinglet, black grouse, rock partridge, blackbird, hoopoe and jay. On following trip, you will visit Mtskheta-Mtianeti |
