Asaguli

Asaguli

Attraction Introduction

Svaneti is located in the central part of the Caucasus Mountains, situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and is virtually inaccessible to outsiders. It takes at least three days of driving from Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, to reach these remote valleys, crossing a treacherous 250-kilometer stretch. In the village of Asaguli, the locals are holding ram horn fights.

Ram horn fighting is a famous tradition in the Svaneti Valley, and the Svans have a special bond with these animals. Fifty years ago, people used wool to filter river water in their gold panning efforts, which is why the legend of the Golden Fleece has endured. Svan villages are built at the bottom of the valleys, surrounded by glaciers and peaks over 5,000 meters high. The climate here is harsh for both humans and livestock.

It is said that spring doesn’t arrive until June, and winter comes much too early. Road blockages due to mudslides are a common occurrence and can happen any month of the year. During the long months of ice and snow, the roads are completely cut off, forcing the Svans to live in a world entirely isolated from the outside.

Highlights

Svaneti is located in the central part of the Caucasus Mountains, situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and is virtually inaccessible to outsiders. It takes at least three days of driving from Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, to reach these remote valleys, crossing a treacherous 250-kilometer stretch.

Tbilisi, Georgia