Ushguli
| Ushguli | |
|---|---|
Ushguli
|
| Upper Svaneti | |
|---|---|
| Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List | |
 |
|
| Location | Georgia |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iv, v |
| Reference | 709 |
| UNESCO region | Europe |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1996 (20th Session) |
Ushguli (Georgian: უშგული) is a community of four villages located at the head of the Enguri gorge in Svaneti, Georgia. Recognized as the Upper Svaneti UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ushguli is one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. Compared to somewhat more developed towns like Mestia, Ushguli has been "saved" by its particularly inaccessible location, which helped preserve the villages' timeless feel.
Ushguli is located at an altitude of 2,100 metres (6,900 ft) near the foot of Shkhara, one of the highest summits of the Greater Caucasus mountains. About 70 families (about 200 people) live in the area, enough to support a small school. The area is snow-covered for 6 months of the year, and often the road to Mestia is impassable.
Typical Svaneti defensive towers are found throughout the village. The Ushguli Chapel located on a hilltop near the village dates back to the 12th century.
The Mikhail Kalatozov silent film documentary Salt for Svanetia was filmed in Ushguli.
Zhibiani (Georgian: ჟიბიანი) some 2,100 metres (6,900 ft) above sea level;
Chvibiani or Chubiani (Georgian: ჩვიბიანი);
Chazhashi or Chajashi (Georgian: ჩაჟაში);
Murqmeli (Georgian: მურყმელი).
Coordinates: 42°55′04″N 43°00′56″E / 42.917797°N 43.015672°E
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