Nestled in the heart of the Greater Caucasus, Shatili is a village that feels both real and surreal. This stone dream is set among wild valleys. More than just a village, it's a cluster of ancient towers. They stand ready like assembled warriors, prepared to face any invasion, winter, and oblivion.
Overlooking the Arghuni River, the square towers huddle together like ancient sisters. They climb the slope with the same determination that a proud people has defied centuries of isolation. Their dark verandas on the top floor silently recount centuries of history and legend.
Located about four hours from Tbilisi, Shatili is more than just a remote Georgian village built between the 7th and 18th centuries. It's the gateway to the warrior soul of Khevsureti, a border region overlooking Chechnya and Ingushetia. Its strategic position and unique construction make it a must-see. The interconnected tower-houses and defensive buildings transform into homes, forming a true "inhabited fortress."
Reaching Shatili is an adventure in itself. Crossing the Datvisjvari Pass feels like crossing an invisible border between modernity and an archaic world. The road winds through gorges and slopes. Curves reveal breathtaking views.
Shatili welcomes travelers only in the summer. From November to May, snow and ice completely isolate the region. Between late June and early September, the village awakens. The towers seem to re-emerge from the fog of time.
Walking among the towers is an indescribable experience. You'll move through dark alleys and steep staircases, suspended between sky and earth. The towers, whether empty or restored, offer glimpses of Georgian defensive architecture. Many are open to visitors, transporting you to another era.
Not far from Shatili, immersed in an even more solitary valley, lies the necropolis of Anatori. Three stone crypts reveal a story of tragedy and courage. When plague struck the village, sick residents isolated themselves in the crypts to avoid infecting others. Their bones remain there, testaments to an extreme sacrifice.
If Shatili impresses you, Mutso will leave you speechless. More inaccessible and harsher, it's the essence of ancestral Georgia. Abandoned and perched on a cliff like a "cursed castle," it's reachable only on foot. Towers defy gravity, crypts seem sculpted in the wind, and silence speaks louder than words.