Ushguli

If you were to make a list of the TOP 10 most interesting places in the world, Ushguli would certainly be one of them. 

What makes Ushguli exceptionally interesting is, firstly, its architecture, with thousand-year-old fortified towers that are unlike any in the rest of Svaneti. Second, its location at over 2,000 metres above sea level, below the highest mountain in Georgia. Thirdly, the history and culture of the area, as well as the everyday life of the locals, are of great interest. Finally, there is the beauty of the surrounding countryside, with snow-capped mountains, glaciers and scenic passes that can be explored on foot, horseback or, in some cases, by car. All this and more makes Uschguli a very special place.

Population: Approximately 300 to 500 people (varies seasonally)
Altitude: 2060 to 2200 metres above sea level
Total number of defence towers: 30

The name

Ushguli is an altered or shortened form of two words: "Ushishari" (fearless) and "Guli" (the heart). Say "Fearless Heart

Ushguli as a village community and its districts

Ushguli is not a single village, it is a name for the village community which consists of four local parts, these are

Murqmeli - the first village of Ushguli when coming from Mestia. Situated on the right bank of the Enguri River. Translated, Murqmeli means place of towers. In the 80s of the 19^th centuries there were about 40 defence towers in the village, but most of them were destroyed by various natural disasters and especially by an earthquake in 1986-87. Today there are only about 9 towers left in the village.

Chazhashi - The second village coming from Mestia, on the left bank of the Enguri. Translated it means "horse village". Above the village is the residence of Queen Tamara from the 13th century and when she was there the horses of the royal court were left here.

Chvibiani - The village is just to the left of the Ushguli Bridge, where the school and the Enguri Café are located. Translated it means "lower village". The name "Lower" was given to the village because it is located below the "Upper Village".

Zhibiani - translated as "Upper Village" - lies above Chvibiani, but the houses of both villages are built close together and it is difficult to tell where the lower village ends and the upper begins. The famous church "Lamaria of Ushguli" also belongs to Shibiani.

Special features of Ushguli

Defence towers

There are defence towers all over Upper Svanetia, but the towers of Ushguli are different in form and function from any other towers in the region. They are usually wider and often higher than the usual defensive towers of the region, but in addition to the classic defensive towers, there are watchtowers and home defence towers not seen elsewhere in Svaneti.

Highest village in Europe

Until 2014, Ushguli had the status of Europe's highest permanently inhabited village, but a permanent resident was registered in Bochorna (Tusheti region) at an altitude of 2,345 metres, and Bochorna has held this status since then.

Georgia's highest mountain

Ushguli is located below Georgia's highest mountain, Shkhara (5,201m). It is also the third highest mountain in the Great Caucasus, after Elbrus (5642m) and Dychtau (5,204m).

Shkhara is very visible from Ushguli, from its base to its various peaks. Provided you have good weather.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

There are 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Georgia and one of them is in Ushguli. What is actually the heritage of the village is discussed below in this blog.

Ushguli as the residence of Queen Tamara

Georgia has had several good kings, but one of the most popular is Queen Tamara from the 13th century. She liked Svaneti in general, and Ushguli in particular, and built a summer residence here. The ruins of the residence can still be seen above the village of Chashashi and can be visited on a short hike.

Georgia's highest church

In Ushguli, at about 2,200 metres above sea level, is the Church of the mother of God, called "Lamaria" from the 9th to 10th century, which is one of the most visited churches in Georgia because of its location, but also because of its architecture and frescoes from the 10th to 13th century.

Hiking in Ushguli

Ushguli is the starting point for many day hikes and multi-day trekking tours. The most popular tours are

1. Trek to the Shchara Glacier - about 7 hours
2. Hike to the Chubideschi viewpoint - about 4 hours
3. Hike to the residence of King Tamara - about 2 hours
4. trekking across the Latifari Pass to Lower Svaneti - about 10 hours
5. three to four days trekking to Mestia etc.

What exactly in Ushguli is on the UNESCO World Heritage List?

Not the whole of Ushguli, but a part of it, Chashashi, with 13 fortified towers, 4 tower-houses, 21 Svanetian houses (Matschubi), 11 traditional houses, an archaeological museum of Ushguli and several farm buildings, is a UNESCO cultural heritage site. This part of the village was also protected during the Soviet period and had the status of a village museum.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ushguli also includes individual monuments and groups of towers, Machubis, fortified dwellings, churches and other original buildings.

Due to structural changes caused by human activity, especially in Chvibiani and Zhibiani, or destruction of the architectural heritage by natural events, especially in Murqmeli, the other parts of the village are not directly protected as ensembles of buildings, nor were they during the Soviet period. Nevertheless, according to the World Heritage Commission, changes can only be made with government permission, as preventing drastic structural changes in the other districts is a prerequisite for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Threat to UNESCO World Heritage status

Although a basic plan has been drawn up for Ushguli, there is still no sustainable management plan to ensure the conservation of the buffer zone (structures, landscape conservation, sustainable agriculture, soft tourism) with the involvement of the local administration and, above all, the local population. (Status 2020)

Transport to Ushguli

Ushguli can be reached either from Lower Svanetia via Lentekhi or from Upper Svaneti via Mestia. There is no public transport to Ushguli.

1. Lentekhi - Ushguli: The route is 75 kilometres long and is currently only used in the summer season and only by four-wheel drive vehicles. However, the road is under construction and is expected to be completed by 2023.

2. Mestia - Ushguli: This is the classic route if you want to get to Ushguli. It is 45 kilometres long and has been largely paved over in recent years. The road is not in the same condition as the first stretch from Lentekhi to Ushguli, but you should still have an off-road vehicle for the trip.

There are several taxis in the centre of Mestia that will take you back to Ushguli. A return trip costs the equivalent of 80 euros.

On following trip, you will visit Ushguli

Hiking trip around Georgia >>

      from 1,750 EUR