Mestia

Mestia, the main regional centre of Zemo Svaneti, is situated 456 km from Georgia’s capital city, Tbilisi and is 1.500 metres above sea level.

It is the starting point for most trips to Svaneti, with a range of hotels, guesthouses and local travel services, and a very convenient base for exploring the area. From the centre of Mestia it is possible to hike up to the glaciers at the foot of mount Ushba, or take horses up to the pristine alpine meadows. Plus, a new ski resort makes it possible to ski or snowboard even in the height of summer.

Tourists interested in religious history will find plenty of examples of wall paintings, frescoes and icons from the Middle Ages in the churches around Mestia. Within Mestia, Saint George Church has preserved crosses and icons from the XII century. Also, Pusdi Church still contains fragments of XIII century wall paintings.

Places to visit:

	Svaneti Historic and Ethnography Museum The museum was founded in 1936 and houses historic artifacts from the Svaneti region; engraved art and unique icons; rich collection of manuscripts, medieval weaponry, iron, silver and copper ornaments; jewelry, pottery and collection of textile items; ethnographic artifacts depicting ancient life in Svaneti and etc.
	Museum of Michael Khergiani The ground floor of the museum houses personal items of the famous alpinist – Merited Master of Sport Michael Khergiani (1932-1969). Among the collection, you will find climbing equipment, clothing, photos, awards, gifts – including music records of Vladimir Vysotsky and a song which he dedicated to Khergiani, and many more items.
	Transfiguration Cathedral in Laghami The church is located in Laghami – old part of the town Mestia. The first floor of the two-storey basilica is named after Great Martyr Barbara (Barblash) and dates back to the IX century. The second floor was constructed in XIII-XIV centuries and decorated with beautiful frescos. The outer wall of the Cathedral is also covered with paintings. The northern facade depicts the “Banishment of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden”, while the eastern wall features “Hunting of St. Eustaphios”. Cathedral also houses XIII century gold and silver engraved icon of Christ (pantokratori).
	Ski lift and the view from Zuruldi About 8 km from Mestia, you will arrive in Hatsvali, where a 1.5 kilometer long ropeway will take you to mount Zuruldi. This mountain is well known for its unique views, featuring white slopes of Tetnuldi and the Caucasus mountain range. During the winter months, this area features a 2,400 meter long ski slope.
	Chalaadi Glacier The glacier is located on the southern slope of the Caucasus Mountains, at the source of the river Mestia- Chala. The height of the glacier is 1850 meters. Chalaadi is the only glacier that interjects into the forest zone. The glacier is fed by mountain tides of Bzhedukhi, Chatini and Dalaqori.
	Ushguli Ushguli is located in the municipality of Mestia, at the bottom of mountain Shkhara, near the confluence of rivers Inguri and Shavtsqala-Kvishara. The community is comprised of 4 villages (Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Murqmeli and Chazhashi) and their height ranges from 2060 meters to 2200 meters above sea level. This makes Ushguli the highest settlement in Europe. The center of the community – village of Chazhashi has been declared a museum and is among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
	Kala Located in the Municipality of Mestia, Kala includes 8 villages: Agra, Ipari, lalkhori, Davberi, Khe, Vichnashi, Khelde and Laskrali. The major tourist attractions are: the XI century Ipari church, the XI century St. Kvirike Church (Lagurka) and the village Kheshi.
	Adishi Within the vicinity of the village Adishi, you can find numerous monuments of the medieval Georgian art: four churches featuring beautiful frescoes, traditional houses, unique towers, and samples of engraved artwork.