Restored 19th century Khevsureti house designated as heritage monument

The roster of cultural heritage monuments of Georgia has welcomed a new addition after a 19th century house in the mountainous Khevsureti province was restored by its owner.

In the village of Andaki, about 160km north of capital Tbilisi, a building known simply as "house of Soso Zviadauri" - in reference to its owner - is now part of the nationwide listing.

The residence, placed administratively within the Dusheti Municipality, was restored by Zviadauri over the recent years with his own resources and without changes to its original appearance.

Built in the second half of the 19th century, the house is typical of stone-built small buildings dotting the hilltop locations in Andaki, 15km south-east of local centre Shatili, and surrounding villages.

The location of the village of Andaki near Georgia's northern border.

Its restoration is a result of Zviadauri's personal quest for taking care of the local heritage, even as the village - located close to Georgia's northern border - is one of many settlements almost deserted over the recent decades due to lack of road infrastructure and employment opportunities. The house owner is the only year-round resident of the village.

The house owner has renovated the house in anticipation of hosting tourists flocking to the barely touched province in remote wilderness, offering visitors accommodation, a tour of local ancient exhibits and an opportunity to rent horses, the main means of transportation in the location.

The National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia received a request for designating Zviadauri's house as the latest monument of cultural heritage from mtisambebi.ge, an online publication covering news and challenges of mountainous provinces and their residents.

Zviadauri has spoken to the media outlet about the issue of the lack of road access to the locations, noting even a well-set-up and maintained pedestrian trail would make life easier for local transportation.

In 2020 the news website plans to promote a hiking trail connecting Khevsureti to the adjacent Tusheti province in a joint effort with a local community organisation.