Mutso

Mutso is an abandoned village nestled in the gorge of the Ardoti River. The reasons behind its abandonment remain a mystery. By 1931, it was already desolate, referred to as a “dead city” during that period. Sometimes described as a village, sometimes as a fortress, and occasionally as a city, Mutso is somewhat smaller than Shatili, yet it draws far fewer tourists.

The history of the Mutso fortress is as murky and enigmatic as that of the entire Khevsureti region. One theory suggests it was constructed in the 12th century during the reign of Queen Tamar. Another theory posits that it emerged later, around the 16th or 17th centuries. At some unknown point in time, it was abandoned. It is likely that by the mid-19th century, the village was already deserted, as during the plague outbreak of 1850, the sick from the village of Ardoti were taken to Muco to die. Their Akladamas (crypts) are still visible today.

Currently, Mutso is represented by a tower complex perched high on the mountainside overlooking the Andaki River. At the river’s edge, a small infrastructure is beginning to develop, including a café with a small shop. From the café, a trail leads upward into the mountains. Initially, this path passes by burial sites (Akladamas) similar to those found in Anatori, believed to be the final resting places of Ardoti villagers who succumbed to the plague in 1850.

After the burial sites, the trail leads directly to the towers of Mutso, which are compactly situated in one area. If you continue to climb higher, you will reach a small plateau where additional burial sites are located.

One visual drawback of the entire complex is the difficulty in seeing Mutso in its entirety. From the foot of the mountain, only fragments of the village are visible. The towers themselves offer no view of the surrounding landscape. To truly appreciate Mutso as a whole, one must ascend the slope of the opposite mountain across the river—a challenging endeavor that requires time and effort.