Mutso cultural heritage renovation project wins EU Prize for Cultural Heritage

One of the most complicated and large-scaled renovation project of iconic Mutso village in Georgia's highlands has won the prestigious EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards, the Georgian Ministry of Education has reported.

Thanks to the work the buildings in Mutso have been rehabilitated, which provided good conditions for living. Communication and electricity problems have been settled. A museum-reserve has been created in Mutso and three families have decided to live permanently in the village,” the Ministry of Education reports.

The village is located in the Khevsureti province and perched 1,880 metres above sea level.

Mutso features around 30 fortified structures and four defensive towers arranged on three vertical terraces above the Mutso-Ardoti Valley.

• Experts restore crumbling Mutso village in mountainous Georgia

The fortified community served as a forward point defending the roads leading into Georgia from the north during the late middle ages.

Mutso: Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge. 

The remote village was almost completely deserted a century ago while more recently the remaining residents slowly vacated the village in search for more opportunities closer to the city.

While being difficult to access, the village has retained its original architecture and has been a popular destination for hikers and enthusiasts from all over the globe.

The Mutso renovation was first initiated in 2004, but practical work only began a decade later.

Works have been complicated by the location and weather conditions at the site, among other factors.

• Launched by the European Commission and run by Europa Nostra, Europa Nostra Awards is Europe’s most prestigious heritage prize.
• It recognises the best achievements in conservation, research, dedicated service as well as education, training and awareness-raising.
• Since 2002, independent expert juries have selected 485 award-winning projects from 34 countries.
• A total of 109 Grand Prix of €10,000 have been presented to outstanding heritage initiatives, selected from among the award-winning projects.