Europe's Most Primitive Village of World Cultural Heritage: Ushguli Guide

At the foot of Mount Shkhara, which stands at 5193 meters above sea level, lies Ushguli. According to research, Ushguli is the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe and one of the three sites in Georgia listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites (the other two being the ancient city of Mtskheta and the Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery in Kutaisi). 🌈Ushguli originally consisted of four natural villages: Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Chazhashi, and Murkmeli. In 1987, Murkmeli was affected by an avalanche, and the villagers were relocated elsewhere. Currently, more than seventy families, approximately 250 people, reside in the remaining three villages of Ushguli. 🌟From Mestia to Ushguli, the four villages appear in the following order: Murkmeli - Chazhashi - Chvibiani - Zhibiani. ✅Murkmeli is the first village encountered, relatively more primitive. ✅Chazhashi is where the bus station is located, known for the prominent bridge over the Inguri River and the famous Queen Tamari Castle. ✅Chvibiani: The best guesthouses and the most famous restaurants in Ushguli are here, and the village has a dense cluster of defensive towers. ✅Zhibiani: The famous Lamaria Church is located in this village, facing the snow-capped mountains and embraced by the mountains, making it a must-visit for tourists. Additionally, it is the starting point of a hiking route that leads northeast to a glacier. It is said that the harsh winter season here lasts nearly 8 months each year, from mid-November to April, during which the village is inaccessible due to heavy snow. It is also said to be the highest inhabited point in Europe, with less than 200 villagers, making Ushguli one of the most isolated villages in Europe. 🌟Lamaria Chapel A short walk up from the village leads to the Lamaria Chapel on a small hilltop, dating back to the 12th century. Inside, there are old medieval frescoes. 🏨The best guesthouse is Hotel Koshki Ushguli, opposite the most famous restaurant here, Cafe Koshki. Tips: If you choose to stay in Ushguli, it is recommended to bring a tripod, as the high altitude and low light pollution make it ideal for photographing the starry sky, comparable to Lake Tekapo. ⚠️The roads in the village are not easy to walk on, some places are even muddy, and goats, pigs, and cows happily mingle with the local residents on the narrow cobblestone paths. . 🚗 1. Renting a car from Mestia to Ushguli is slightly expensive, with prices varying depending on whether the driver stays overnight or returns the same day (make sure to ask if it is door-to-door service to the guesthouse). If staying overnight in Ushguli, a round-trip fare is charged; for a same-day return, a one-way fare is charged. The reference price is 250-300 GEL. 2. Minibus: From Mestia bus station, there is only one bus per day, departing at 10 am. If you miss this bus, you can rent a car or find someone to share a ride. It is usually easier to find someone to share a ride when the minibus from Zugdidi arrives in Mestia. The return trip departs from Ushguli at 4 pm. Tips: The distance from Mestia to Ushguli is only 45 kilometers, but due to poor road conditions, it takes two and a half hours to drive, especially the last 15 kilometers near Ushguli, which can be described as a 'disaster,' comparable to the Tongmai section of the 318 National Highway five years ago.