🇬🇪 Welcome to Svaneti, a beautiful, wild and mysterious region in the Northwestern Georgia!
Located at an altitude of 2,100 metres, Ushguli is one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. Despite its remote location, you can easily reach Ushguli by marshrutka from Mestia. But if you have more time, I'd recommend you to try the 4 days hike from Mestia to Ushguli, to see astonishing mountains, ridges and valleys. We did it 30th Jul — 2 Aug 2022, the hot weather was challenging, but the journey was worth it. In the end we entered Ushguli and saw the famous Svanetian towers:
(on the left: a typical household with a Svanetian tower: on the right: the view at GZ)
There are more than 30 Svanetian towers in Ushguli. They were primarily built between the 9th and 12th centuries, during the Georgian Golden Age. They were used as defence posts against the invaders who plagued the region. Each tower usually had 3-5 stories and provided accommodation for both people and animals.
From the old times, Svan people are known for their bravery and vigour. They keep their spirit of fierce independence and a strong national identity, though nowadays they have very peaceful relations with their neighbors.
Svans have their own language which keeps many archaic features that have been lost in the Georgian language. The Svan language is unique and endangered, it has no written standard or official status. Svans use Georgian alphabet with a few additional letters.
Here is the current Georgian alphabet:
The tasks for logging this Virtual cache are a bit more challenging than just an ordinary selfie. But don't worry, they can be easily completed by any visitor. The first and second tasks are optional, but the third one is mandatory.
To log this cache:
đź“– 1. Learn Svanetian traditions! (optional)
Do you know anything about old customs of Svans? Describe a few local traditions in your log.
Tips: you can find out more about them in Ushguli Ethnographic Museum or in the movie Dede which they regularly stream in Mestia and Ushguli!
🍽 2. Try Svanetian cuisine! (optional)
What's your favourite Svanetian (or Georgian) dish? Describe its main ingredients, shape and taste, share your experience in your log.
đź“ś 3. Train your handwriting skills! (mandatory)
• Take a sheet of paper and write down your Geocaching nickname using the Georgian alphabet. You may use the picture in the description above to help you!
• Make a photo of yourself holding your handwriting with any Svanetian tower of Ushguli in the background. Your face doesn't have to be visible.
• Attach the photo in your log.
Thank you! Madloba!
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.