PM evaluates rehabilitation of Georgian medieval castle town

Mutso, a medieval castle town in eastern Georgia and its unique architecture is no longer under the threat of destruction, reads the statement released by the Prime Minister today.

Rehabilitation work started two months ago at the historical site, which was virtually abandoned about a century ago.

Located on a rocky mountain 1880m high in Georgia’s Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, the ancient village boasts about 30 medieval fortified dwellings and four combat towers arranged on vertical terraces above the Mutso-Ardoti gorge however much of this was in ruins and in desperate need of repair.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili visited Mutso today with Georgia’s Culture Minister Mikheil Giorgadze and head of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Agency Nikoloz Antidze. There the group examined the "intensive” rehabilitation process, the PM said.

"Mutso is not only an integral part of our culture but of the whole world,” PM Garibashvili said during his visit.

He noted preservation of this unique monuments was his and his predecessors’ duty.

Georgian medieval castle town Mutso. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

"It is our generation’s responsibility to save this unique castle town and to preserve it for the next generation. For the past 15 years this town was decomposing and we have [started rehabilitation works] just in time,” the PM said.

"This year works will begin to save the monument, which are in a critical condition. We have invited the best specialists so that we are able to preserve the original appearance of our heritage for future generations,” he said.

Rehabilitation of the village was being carried out as authentically as possible, using traditional materials, such as large slates of stones found in the same area.

The first stage of the rehabilitation work saw the construction of residential cottages, an administrative building and a dining room for workers set to undertake the mammoth task of restoring Mutso village.

Today’s statement said two doctors were on duty at the site and a mobile generator was turned on 24 hours a day. This would soon be replaced by a power station, which would power lighting at the village.

For the past four years, only one family has lived in the historical castle town. Resident Nugzar Daiauri returned to the site occupied by his ancestors with his wife and children, and was personal engaged in saving the village.

From left to right: Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Mutso resident Nugzar Daiauri, Culture Minister Mikheil Giorgadze and head of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Agency Nikoloz Antidze. Photo by PM's press-office

While in Mutso, Prime Minister Garibashvil also visited Daiauri’s family and learned about their daily life living in the abandoned village.

Mutso was one of the former strongholds of the historic Georgian province of Khevsureti. 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 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 crumbled and fell.

A project to rehabilitate Mutso was initiated in 2004. Despite this intention, the site continued to deteriorate although it was recognised as one of Georgia’s most endangered historic monuments and in need of urgent help.

Georgian medieval castle town Mutso. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

On June 10, 2014, Prime Minister Garibashvili announced a new plan to rehabilitate the crumbling village. At the time Garibsahvili explained that during the first stage of rehabilitation, efforts would be made to stop further collapse of the ancient structures.

The project will last three years, after which Mutso will be restored to its original form and will have appropriate infrastructure, the press office said.