Mestia
Mestia
მესტია | |
|---|---|
Townlet | |
 Illuminated towers in Mestia | |
  Mestia Location of Mestia in Georgia  Mestia Mestia (Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti) | |
| Coordinates: 43°02′44″N 42°43′47″E / 43.04556°N 42.72972°E | |
| Country | Georgia |
| Mkhare | Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti |
| District | Mestia |
| Elevation | 1,500 m (4,900 ft) |
| Population (2014)[1] | |
| • Total | 1,973 |
| Time zone | UTC+4 (Georgian Time) |
| Climate | Dfb[2] |
Mestia (Georgian: მესტია IPA: [mestʼia]) is a highland townlet (daba) in northwest Georgia, at an elevation of 1,500 metres (4,921 feet) in the Caucasus Mountains.
General information
[edit]Mestia is a historic highland townlet located in the Svaneti region of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti province in Georgia. Positioned approximately 128 kilometers (80 miles) northeast of the regional capital of Zugdidi, Mestia and its surrounding 132 villages form the Mestia District. This district spans an area of 3,044 square kilometers (1,175 sq mi) and had a population of 9,316 as per the 2014 Georgian census, with 1,973 residing in the town itself. Mestia was officially granted townlet status in 1968.
Historically and ethnographically, Mestia has been regarded as the chief community of Zemo Svaneti (Upper Svaneti). The area was formerly known as Seti (სეტი). The population is predominantly Svans, a distinct cultural and linguistic subgroup of Georgians. Despite its small size, Mestia has played an important role in Georgian cultural history for centuries. The town is renowned for its collection of medieval monuments, including churches and fortifications, which have been recognized by UNESCO as part of the Upper Svaneti World Heritage Site due to their historical significance and well-preserved Svanetian towers.
Situated at an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level and surrounded by the towering Caucasus Mountains, Mestia also functions as a popular ski resort. The resort includes the Hatsvali and Tetnuldi ski areas, which have gained increasing popularity among winter sports enthusiasts globally. These resorts offer a range of activities, from skiing to snowboarding, and cater to adventurers seeking extreme winter sports, all while showcasing the stunning natural beauty and cultural richness of Svaneti. The town is served by Queen Tamar Airport, operated by the state-owned United Airports of Georgia since 2010, facilitating easier travel for tourists. Mestia is approximately 460 kilometers from Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, but is accessible by domestic flights from Natakhtari and Kutaisi airports. These flights reduce travel time to Mestia to about 30-40 minutes, offering quick access to the region’s scenic villages, medieval architecture, and UNESCO-listed heritage.
Architecture and attractions
[edit]The townlet is dominated by stone defensive towers of a type seen in Ushguli and Mestia proper ("Svan towers"). A typical Svan fortified dwelling consisted of a tower, an adjacent house (machubi) and some other household structures encircled by a defensive wall.
Unique icons and manuscripts are kept in Mestia Historical-Ethnographic Museum. Mestia is also a centre of mountaineering tourism.
The town is the starting point for the popular Mestia-Ushguli trail. Most hikers complete this route in four days, sleeping in guesthouses or in local farmhouses.[3]
Twin towns
[edit]
|
Born in Mestia
[edit]- Mikheil Khergiani (1932–1969), a mountain climber
See also
[edit]- Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
- Tviberi Glacier
- Administrative divisions of Georgia (country)
- Lists of World Heritage Sites#Asia
References
[edit]- ^ "Population Census 2014". www.geostat.ge. National Statistics Office of Georgia. November 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ "Mestia climate: Average Temperature, weather by month, Mestia weather averages - Climate-Data.org". en.climate-data.org. Retrieved 2021-12-25.
- ^ "Mestia to Ushguli Trek (a complete guide)". www.caucasus-trekking.com. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
External links
[edit]
Mestia travel guide from Wikivoyage- (in German) Frescos and icons from Svaneti
- Mestia Georgia Hillskiing
43°02′44″N 42°43′47″E / 43.04556°N 42.72972°E
Mestia is the host of the International Short and Mountain film festival.