Ushguli
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Ushguli (Georgian: Script error: No such module "Lang". Script error: No such module "IPA".) is a community of five medieval villages located at the head of the Enguri gorge in Svaneti, Georgia.[1] Ushguli is one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe.[2][3][4] Compared to somewhat more developed towns like Mestia, Ushguli is not in an accessible location, which has preserved many of the villages' medieval characteristics, including unique defensive tower houses called Svan towers.[5][6] Because of their preservation and traditional architecture, Ushguli, Mestia, and the surrounding area was recognized as the Upper Svaneti UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.[6]
Location and features
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The Lamaria church (named for the goddess Lamaria in Svaneti mythology) in Zhibiani is located on a hilltop dominating the village.[7] The chapel dates back to the 12th century and contains Georgian Golden Age-era frescoes.[7]
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The most notable feature of the villages in Ushguli are the defensive tower houses found throughout the community. These houses, between 3-5 stories tall, were built primarily between the 9th and 12th centuries.[6][7] Although many of the towers in the lower towns such as Mestia have fallen into disrepair, the isolation of Ushguli has preserved the towers. Chazhashi, one of the villages within the community, contains over 200 of these towers and has been preserved as a Museum-Reserve.[7]
The Mikhail Kalatozov silent film documentary Salt for Svanetia was filmed in Ushguli.
Constituent villages of Ushguli
Zhibiani (Georgian: Script error: No such module "Lang".) some Script error: No such module "convert". above sea level;
Chvibiani or Chubiani (Georgian: Script error: No such module "Lang".);
Chazhashi or Chajashi (Georgian: Script error: No such module "Lang".);
Murqmeli (Georgian: Script error: No such module "Lang".);
Lamjurishi (Georgian: Script error: No such module "Lang".).
See also
References
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- ↑ Svaneti and Its Inhabitants, Roland Topchishvili
- ↑ 9 reasons to visit Georgia now, CNN, 17 May 2016
- ↑ Village Ushguli, Georgia, National Geographic, Retrieved: 7 March 2016
- ↑ Michael Spilling, Winnie Wong. Cultures of the World: Georgia. Marshall Cavendish: 2008, p. 10
- ↑ Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, 9 reasons to visit Georgia now, CNN, 17 May 2016
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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External links
- Ski – Svaneti Project Template:Webarchive
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- Video Documentation by Yes Theory on YouTube
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