Mestia (Svanetia)

Svanetia

Mestia

Only in 1935 was a road built to link Mestia with the outside world. The road was tarmaced and electricity was later brought to Mestia as well. Since the end of the Soviet period little has been done to improve the town and the main old hotels have long closed and are gradually disintegrating. On the positive side a new museum has been built to house Georgian and local treasures and plans are being formulated to rebuild the mountain tourism infrastructure of the region.

There are some fine examples of protective towers in Mestia and one is open to the public. This and the neighbouring house dates back to the 12th century, the interior of the house has been preserved with original woodwork and furnishings dating back to this time. Life was centred on one large room, which had a fire in its centre where food was cooked. In winter all the animals lived in the same room, their warmth helping to warm the room.

Just on the outskirts of Mestia the museum dedicated to Mikhail Khergiani, the first Svanetian alpinist, contains a variety of photographs of the history of mountaineering in Georgia plus a traditional Svanetian room with its wood carved furnishings.

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