Svaneti (Georgia, Caucasus) – Conflicts in the transition between tradition and modernity against the backdrop of tourism developments – Stefan Applis | Photography

Svaneti (Georgia, Caucasus) – Conflicts in the transition between tradition and modernity against the backdrop of tourism developments

architectures and landscapes

Svaneti (Georgian სვანეთი/Swanetis) is a historical-geographical region in the north of Georgia in the Greater Caucasus. The area is because of different historical reasons considered as a culturally closed space with a particular history and architecture and other specific social and economic conditions. It is divided into Upper Svaneti or High Svaneti (Georgian: Zemo Svaneti) and Lower Svaneti (Kvemo Svaneti) and is politically divided within Georgia into the regions of Mingrelia and Upper Svaneti and Racha-Lechchumi and Lower Svaneti. The most important city in Svaneti is the village community of Mestia, the administrative capital of Upper Svaneti. Svaneti is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations within Georgia and is primarily known for its mostly untouched mountain landscape and the unique architecture of its mountain villages.

further information on architecture

White horse in winter in Upper Ushguli

Chazhashi World Heritage Village in Ushguli

Dilapidated house from the Soviet era in the village of Adishi

Books on Svaneti

In 2021, the travel guide ‘Discover Svaneti’, which won the Destination Award at the 2023 International Tourism Fair, was published in German, in 2022 the illustrated text book ‘Svaneti between tradition and modernity’, which won the same category, was published in German with Georgian and English translations.