The landlocked area of western Georgia named Svaneti is a beautiful region with Alpine-link meadows and stark snow covered peaks. Through the centuries most of the empires of the time have crossed through this area, including the Persians, Mongols and Turks, trying to plunder what little there was to take. The Svans, a local tribe that has inhabited this area for centuries, succeeded for the most part in defending themselves and repelling the foreign invaders. They protected themselves and their livestock by building and inhabiting tall, stone towers, called Koshki. The towers were mostly built between the 9th and 13th centuries and accommodated livestock on the ground floor, the family on the next floor, and access to the tower to stand guard. The towers were so successful, that valuables and religious artifacts from other parts of Georgia were often brought to Svaneti during troubled times for safe keeping.
Though many of the towers have fallen over the years, over 200 of them still stand, and are not protected by UNESCO. The isolation of the land that created the Svan’s unique cultural identity, still protects it and their unwritten language to this day.
Book your hotel ahead of time, and check the weather. Locations outside of the towns may or may not be accessible in inclimate weather.
Why go?
- Georgia has a rich and turbulent history, which has resulted in many remarkable monuments to interesting events. This trip should open the door to many interesting questions.
- Svaneti is one of those locations in world travel that gives you both interesting cultural monuments and incredible natural views.
- This area hosts many hiking/trekking opportunities.
What you need to know:
- Svaneti is about an 8 hour drive from Tbilisi.
- The road from Tbilisi follows the natural valleys of the Caucasus Mountains, so it is not a straight drive.
- There are several interesting sites along the way:
- Motsameta Monastery, Kutaisi
- Gelati Monastery Complex, founded by King David the Builder
- Staplia Caves
- Dadiani Palace
- 271 Meter high Enguri Dam
- Church of the Prophet John
Koshki Towers - Svaneti, Georgia (No, the "other" Georgia)
.
Koshki Towers
Location: The country of Georgia in Western Asia.
.
The landlocked area of western Georgia named Svaneti is a beautiful region with Alpine-like meadows and stark snow covered peaks. Through the centuries most of the empires of the time have crossed through this area, including the Persians, Mongols and Turks, trying to plunder what little there was to take. The Svans, a local tribe that has inhabited this area for centuries, succeeded for the most part in defending themselves and repelling the foreign invaders. They protected themselves and their livestock by building and inhabiting tall, stone towers, called Koshki. The towers were mostly built between the 9th and 13th centuries and accommodated livestock on the ground floor, the family on the next floor, and access to the higher floors to stand guard. The towers were so successful, that valuables and religious artifacts from other parts of Georgia were often brought to Svaneti during troubled times for safe keeping. .
More information about this picture is available in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Picture taken: 9/2012
.
#countryofgeorgia #svaneti #svaneti🗻 #koshki #svanetigeorgia #georgiacountry #svan #snowcappedmountains #westernasia #travelwesternasia
Koshki Towers - Svaneti, Georgia (No, the "other" Georgia)
.
Koshki Towers
Location: The country of Georgia in Western Asia.
.
The landlocked area of western Georgia named Svaneti is a beautiful region with Alpine-like meadows and stark snow covered peaks. Through the centuries most of the empires of the time have crossed through this area, including the Persians, Mongols and Turks, trying to plunder what little there was to take. The Svans, a local tribe that has inhabited this area for centuries, succeeded for the most part in defending themselves and repelling the foreign invaders. They protected themselves and their livestock by building and inhabiting tall, stone towers, called Koshki. The towers were mostly built between the 9th and 13th centuries and accommodated livestock on the ground floor, the family on the next floor, and access to the higher floors to stand guard. The towers were so successful, that valuables and religious artifacts from other parts of Georgia were often brought to Svaneti during troubled times for safe keeping. .
More information about this picture is available in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Picture taken: 9/2012
.
#countryofgeorgia #svaneti #svaneti🗻 #koshki #svanetigeorgia #georgiacountry #svan #snowcappedmountains #westernasia #travelwesternasia
Koshki Towers - Svaneti, Georgia (No, the "other" Georgia)
.
Koshki Towers
Location: The country of Georgia in Western Asia.
.
The landlocked area of western Georgia named Svaneti is a beautiful region with Alpine-like meadows and stark snow covered peaks. Through the centuries most of the empires of the time have crossed through this area, including the Persians, Mongols and Turks, trying to plunder what little there was to take. The Svans, a local tribe that has inhabited this area for centuries, succeeded for the most part in defending themselves and repelling the foreign invaders. They protected themselves and their livestock by building and inhabiting tall, stone towers, called Koshki. The towers were mostly built between the 9th and 13th centuries and accommodated livestock on the ground floor, the family on the next floor, and access to the higher floors to stand guard. The towers were so successful, that valuables and religious artifacts from other parts of Georgia were often brought to Svaneti during troubled times for safe keeping. .
More information about this picture is available in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Picture taken: 9/2012
.
#countryofgeorgia #svaneti #svaneti⛪🗻🗿 #koshki #svanetigeorgia #georgiacountry #svan #snowcappedmountains #westernasia #travelwesternasia
Koshki Towers - Svaneti, Georgia (No, the "other" Georgia)
.
Koshki Towers
Location: The country of Georgia in Western Asia.
.
The landlocked area of western Georgia named Svaneti is a beautiful region with Alpine-like meadows and stark snow covered peaks. Through the centuries most of the empires of the time have crossed through this area, including the Persians, Mongols and Turks, trying to plunder what little there was to take. The Svans, a local tribe that has inhabited this area for centuries, succeeded for the most part in defending themselves and repelling the foreign invaders. They protected themselves and their livestock by building and inhabiting tall, stone towers, called Koshki. The towers were mostly built between the 9th and 13th centuries and accommodated livestock on the ground floor, the family on the next floor, and access to the higher floors to stand guard. The towers were so successful, that valuables and religious artifacts from other parts of Georgia were often brought to Svaneti during troubled times for safe keeping. .
This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Picture taken: 9/2012
.
#countryofgeorgia #svaneti #svaneti⛪🗻🗿 #koshki #svanetigeorgia #georgiacountry #svan #snowcappedmountains #westernasia #travelwesternasia
Koshki Towers - Svaneti, Georgia (No, the "other" Georgia)
.
Koshki Towers
Location: The country of Georgia in Western Asia.
.
The landlocked area of western Georgia named Svaneti is a beautiful region with Alpine-like meadows and stark snow covered peaks. Through the centuries most of the empires of the time have crossed through this area, including the Persians, Mongols and Turks, trying to plunder what little there was to take. The Svans, a local tribe that has inhabited this area for centuries, succeeded for the most part in defending themselves and repelling the foreign invaders. They protected themselves and their livestock by building and inhabiting tall, stone towers, called Koshki. The towers were mostly built between the 9th and 13th centuries and accommodated livestock on the ground floor, the family on the next floor, and access to the higher floors to stand guard. The towers were so successful, that valuables and religious artifacts from other parts of Georgia were often brought to Svaneti during troubled times for safe keeping. .
This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details:
@mytravels.hdf
.
Picture taken: 9/2012
.
#countryofgeorgia #svaneti #svaneti⛪🗻🗿 #koshki #svanetigeorgia #georgiacountry #svan #snowcappedmountains #westernasia #travelwesternasia
