Mestia village with traditional Svaneti tower houses in mountain valley, Georgia
Traditional medieval stone tower houses dot the landscape of Mestia, a historic village nestled in the Greater Caucasus mountain range in Georgia's Svaneti region.
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A Living Museum of Medieval Architecture
Mestia preserves one of the most distinctive architectural ensembles in the Caucasus, where families built defensive stone towers alongside their homes.
The Heart of Svaneti Culture
These towers, dating from the 9th to 12th centuries, served both as dwellings and fortifications during times of conflict between clans.
UNESCO World Heritage Legacy
Upper Svaneti, including Mestia, earned UNESCO recognition for its unique cultural landscape that remains remarkably intact today.
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