Svaneti or Svanetia (Suania in ancient sources) (Georgian: სვანეთი Svaneti) is a historic province in Georgia, in the northwestern part of the country. It is inhabited by the Svans, an ethnic subgroup of the Georgians.
Preserved by its long-lasting geographical isolation, the mountain
landscape of the Upper Svaneti region is an exceptional example of
mountain scenery with medieval villages and tower houses.
The property occupies the upper reaches of the lnguri River Basin
between the Caucasus and Svaneti ranges. It consists of several small
villages forming a community that are dominated by the towers and
situated on the mountain slopes, with a natural environment of gorges
and alpine valleys and a backdrop of snow-covered mountains. The most
notable feature of the settlements is the abundance of towers.
The village of Chazhashi in Ushguli community, situated at the
confluence of the lnguri and Black Rivers, has preserved more than 200
medieval tower houses, churches and castles. The land use and settlement
structure reveal the continued dwelling and building traditions of
local Svan people living in harmony with the surrounding natural
environment. The origins of Svaneti tower houses go back to prehistory.
Its features reflect the traditional economic mode and social
organization of Svan communities. These towers usually have three to
five floors, and the thickness of the walls decreases, giving the towers
a slender, tapering profile. The houses themselves are usually
two-storeyed; the ground floor is a single hall with an open hearth and
accommodation for both people and domestic animals, the latter being
separated by a wooden partition, which is often lavishly decorated. A
corridor annex helped the thermal insulation of the building. The upper
floor was used by the human occupants during summer, and also served as a
store for fodder and tools. A door at this level provided access to the
tower, which was also connected with the corridor that protected the
entrance. The houses were used both as dwellings and as defence posts
against the invaders who plagued the region.
The property is also notable for the monumental and minor arts. The
mural paintings are outstanding examples of Renaissance painting in
Georgia.
Date of Inscription on the List of UNESCO WHS: 1996
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| Date of Issue: December 22, 2014 | Europa CEPT 2013 'The Postman Van' |
Aitäh, Meelis !
Sent on: February 16, 2015
Received on: February 23, 2015
1 comment:
Georgia - gratulation!
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