Nashtkoli: Medieval Architecture in Upper Svaneti

Nashtkoli is considered a medieval urban monument within a historic district zone. This designation draws attention to the place as a whole, rather than just a single building. The historic zone is therefore the setting in which the named buildings can be understood. For travelers interested in the medieval history of settlements and architecture, Nashtkoli offers a distinct cultural focus.

Medieval Buildings in Nashtkoli

The historic zone of Nashtkoli includes the medieval Dadeshkeliani fortress chamber, known as Namurkvam, two defensive towers, and the Kola (Aslamaz) Tsindeliani complex. The zone also includes a chamber machubi, the Kishvardi Tserediani tower, Lamaria Church, and the Vaso Tsindeliani complex. Together, these names represent defensive, residential, and religious buildings within the same historic zone.

The designation as an urban monument and the names of individual buildings answer different questions: the designation applies to Nashtkoli as a place; the names indicate which historic buildings belong to the zone. For your travel interests, this is a helpful distinction between the historic structure of the settlement and specific forms of architecture.

Nashtkoli is one of the villages in the municipality of Becho in Upper Svaneti. In this area, many villages are considered urban monuments of historic and cultural value. This places Nashtkoli as an individual village within a broader cultural setting: the historic zone and its named buildings form the specific local focus. The cuisine also offers a regional connection: in the wider destination of Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti, kubdari and kupati are Svan dishes seasoned with special Svan salt.

The Wider Setting: Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti

Within the wider destination of Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti, Upper Svaneti was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. This regional inscription is distinct from Nashtkoli's own designation as a medieval urban monument. Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti comprises the historic and geographic regions of Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti. Their centers are Zugdidi and Mestia, respectively. This division provides orientation within the wider destination, while Nashtkoli's historic district zone serves as the local point of reference.

The landscape of Zemo Svaneti includes alpine nature, clear lakes, the Enguri River and its fast-flowing tributaries, and waterfalls. A road follows the Enguri Valley from its source to the border of Samegrelo. These landscape features belong to the wider destination of Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti and offer a different focus from Nashtkoli's medieval settlement and architectural heritage.

Another historic theme in the wider destination of Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti is the Nokalakevi Museum-Reserve. It contains the Church of the 40 Holy Martyrs, dating from the 6th century. Nokalakevi is a museum-reserve where visitors can walk through the history of antiquity. The wider travel region thus offers different historical perspectives: Nashtkoli focuses locally on the medieval history of settlements and architecture, while Nokalakevi offers a gateway to antiquity.

Discover more destinations: Adishi, Chvabiani, Darcheli, Martvili, Lakhushdi, Chkhorotsku, Lalkhori, Ushguli

View the wider travel guide: Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti.