The Svaneti Museum of Ethnography

The Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography is a charming, thoughtfully renovated institution that offers a compelling insight into the archaeological, religious, and ethnographic treasures of the Svaneti region. It paints a vivid portrait of the intellectual and material world of the Svans between the 10th and 13th centuries. A visit here is essential for anyone seeking to understand the stark contrasts between ancient and modern Svaneti—two civilizations that, while sharing a name and landscape, diverge remarkably in spirit and development.

Founded in 1936, the museum has since amassed a collection of over 4,000 artifacts. While this number might seem modest by Georgian standards, the rarity and historical value of these objects elevate the museum’s stature considerably. Most of the exhibits date back to as early as the 10th century and represent the ecclesiastical heritage of Svaneti. Today, the museum is housed in a modern building spanning two floors. The main exhibition is located on the second floor, arranged in a circular layout. The ground floor features an additional hall dedicated to ethnographic artifacts.

The exhibition begins with an archaeological section that showcases discoveries from the Bronze Age—although nothing from the Stone Age has been documented. Among the most striking finds are the famous Colchian axes, which attest to the presence of a bronze-using civilization in this region as early as 1000 BCE. Alongside the axes, visitors will encounter ceramics, bronze daggers, arrowheads, and iron knives—objects that echo collections found in many Georgian museums.

However, it is the subsequent collection of religious artifacts that captivates the most. Here, icons, gospels, and a variety of ecclesiastical objects are on display—an exhibit both spiritually resonant and historically significant.

What makes this particularly fascinating is the broader context. Svaneti has long been one of the most remote and insular corners of the Caucasus. Its interaction with the outside world was minimal and often reluctant. Unlike other highland peoples—such as the Khevsurs, Pshavs, Tushs, and Ossetians—who typically did not construct places of worship, the Svans built churches, developed a distinct school of icon painting, and even produced illuminated manuscripts. This speaks to a community that, despite its isolation and pastoral lifestyle, made time for the arts and sophisticated cultural practices.

On the ground floor, the ethnographic section offers further insight into Svan life. Of particular interest is the traditional furniture. The intricately carved wooden chairs of the Svans are not only artistic artifacts but also bear historical significance. Early travelers to Svaneti were struck by the presence of furniture—a rarity in much of Georgia by the 19th century, where Persian customs had taken root and people commonly sat on carpets or divans. The very use and form of this preserved furniture, seen in Svaneti, Ossetia, and parts of Dagestan, harks back to ancient times.

The museum is located southeast of Mestia’s central square, across the river, on the Ushguli road.
Address: 30 Stalin Street, Mestia
Phone: (+995 32) 99 80 22
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, closed on Mondays