“Endangered” Georgian medieval castle town facing major rehabilitation

A popular destination for tourists and mountain trekkers has been earmarked for major rehabilitation.

Mutso, a medieval castle town in Eastern Georgia, is currently listed among the most endangered historic monuments of Georgia.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said in the past it had been "impossible” to allocate funds to protect the monument but the Government would take immediate measures to ensure the ancient town would be preserved.

The PM said he planned to visit the area and familiarize himself with locals and current problems in the area.

Mutso, Khevsureti, Georgia; Photo by P. Vardanashvili

Mutso is a small village and one of the former strongholds of the historic Georgian province of Khevsureti. It is located on a rocky mountain at a staggering height of 1880m above sea level.

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

The village was almost completely abandoned more than a century ago but is now home to about 30 medieval fortified homes arranged on vertical terraces above the Mutso-Ardoti Gorge. The village also featured unique architecture including four combat towers and ruins of several ancient structures and buildings.

Photo by G. Bedenashvili

The area has not been maintained in recent years. Architects and historians said the castle town was currently on the edge of destruction. Each winter small portions of the central part of the old buildings used to crumble and fall.

"Unfortunately it has been impossible to allocate funds for the protection of such a significant monument as Mutso over the years,” the Prime Minister said yesterday.

"We will take resolute measures immediately and will not allow the medieval ancient and historical monument to become endangered.”

Garibahsvili claimed it was the duty of all responsible authorities to save the cultural heritage site and preserve it for future generations.

"That’s why I’ve decided to personally visit the Reversed Khevsureti in the coming days and get acquainted with all the current problems. We will do our best to fully rehabilitate and restore this unique monument," he said.

A project to rehabilitate Mutso was developed in 2004. Despite this intention, the site continued to be recognized as one of Georgia’s most endangered historic monuments and in need of urgent help.

Photo by D. Cassenti

Legends claim Mutso villagers were renowned as fighters and hunters, and considered themselves permanent members of the Army of the Sacred Flags and guardians of fabulous treasury donated to the Icon over the centuries.

Legends claim the treasure remained high in the mountains around Mutso and would be discovered by "the chosen one”.