Svaneti (სვანეთი. Also known as Svanetia or Svania in Russian and Western languages) is a historic province in Georgia, in the northwestern part of the country. It’s inhabited by the Svans (სვანები in Georgian), ethnographic group of the Georgian people. Jump to: navigation, search The term Western world or the West can have multiple meanings depending on its context. ... Georgians (ქართველი ერი (Kartveli Eri) or ქართველები (Kartvelebi) in Georgian language) are a nation or ethnic group (ethnos), originating in the Caucasus, one of the most ancient peoples of the world. ...

Geography

View of the Caucasus Mountains in Svaneti

Surrounded by 3,000-5,000 m peaks (the Lahil, the Tetnuldi, the Ushba, the Shkhara, the Ayalam, and the Rustaveli Peak), Svaneti is the highest inhabited area in Europe. Image File history File links Acquired the file from the Swedish article of Wikipedia about Georgia File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Acquired the file from the Swedish article of Wikipedia about Georgia File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... World map showing Europe (geographically) When considered a continent, Europe is the worlds second-smallest continent in terms of area, with an area of 10,600,000 km² (4,140,625 square miles), making it larger than Australia only. ...

Situated on the southern slopes of the central Greater Caucasus, the province extends over the upper valleys of the Rioni, Enguri and Tskhenistskali. The province consists of two parts, Zemo Svaneti (Upper Svaneti; the present day Mestia Raioni) and Kvemo Svaneti (Lower Svaneti; the present day Lentekhi Raioni) incorporated into the present day regions of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and Racha-Lechkhumi & Kvemo Svaneti respectively. Historical Svaneti also included the Kodori Gorge in the adjoining rebel province of Abkhazia, and part of the adjacent river valleys of Kuban and Baksan of Russia. The Caucasus Mountains is a mountain range between the Black and Caspian seas in the Caucasus region, usually considered the southeastern limit of Europe. ... The Rioni River is the principal river of western Georgia. ... Angora was the name of the city of Ankara in Turkey prior to 1930. ... Categories: Caucasus geography stubs ... A raion (or rayon) (Russian and Ukrainian: ; Belarusian раён), is a subnational entity of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Latvia, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the former Soviet Union. ... Lentekhi is a small town and Lentekhi District’s (Raion) capital in Georgia’s western region of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, 323 km northwest to the nation’s capital Tbilisi. ... A raion (or rayon) (Russian and Ukrainian: ; Belarusian раён), is a subnational entity of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Latvia, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the former Soviet Union. ... Kodori Valley (also known as the Kodori Gorge) is a river valley in Abkhazia, Georgias rebel province and serves de facto boundary between Georgia and Abkhazia. ... Abkhazia (Abkhaz Аҧсны/Aphsny, Georgian აფხაზეთი/Apkhazeti, Russian Абха́зия/Abkhazia) is a region of 8,600 km² (3,300 sq. ... The Kuban (Куба́нь) is a river in Russia, in the Northern Caucasus region. ...

History

Medieval towers in Mestia, Upper Svaneti

Flag of the Principality of Svaneti

Known as Suaneti in ancient times, the province had been a dependency of Colchis, and of its successor kingdom of Lazika (Egrisi) until AD 552, when the Suanians took advantage of the Lazic War, repudiated this connexion and went over to the Persians. The Byzantines wanted the region, for if they secured its passes, they could prevent Persian raids on the border areas of Lazica. With the end of the war (562), Suaneti again became part of Lazica. Then, the province joined Abkhazia to form a unified monarchy which was incorporated into the Kingdom of Georgia in the early 11th century. Svaneti became a searistavo (duchy) within it, governed by an eristavi (duke). The province’s Orthodox culture flourished particularly during the Georgian “golden age” under Queen Tamar (r. 1184-1213), who was respected almost as goddess by the Svanetians. The legend has it that the duchy was annually visited by Tamar. The Svans had been known as fierce warriors for centuries. Their inflatable war banner was named Lemi (Lion) because of its shape. Image File history File links Svaneti. ... Image File history File links Svaneti. ... Categories: Caucasus geography stubs ... Image File history File links Svaneti_flag. ... Image File history File links Svaneti_flag. ... Colchis, or Aea-Colchis (Georgian form - Kolkheti), in ancient geography district of Asia Minor, at the eastern extremity of the Black Sea, bounded on the N. by the Caucasus. ... Egrisi (or Kolkheti) was a kingdom in the western part of Georgia, which flourished between the 6th century BC and the 7th century AD. It was covered the territory of the former kingdom Kolkha (Colchis) and the territory of modern Abkhazia). ... Jump to: navigation, search Egrisi (or Kolkheti) known to the ancient Greeks and Romans as Lazica was a kingdom in the western part of Georgia, which flourished between the 6th century BC and the 7th century AD. It was covered the territory of the former kingdom Kolkha (Colchis) and the... Events July - Battle of Taginae: The Byzantine general Narses defeats and kills Totila, king of the Ostrogoths. ... The Lazic War, or Egrisi Great War as it is known in Georgian historiography, refers to the twenty-year war between Byzantium and Iran Sassanid Empire for controlling the western Georgian Kingdom of Egrisi/ Lazica in 542-562. ... Jump to: navigation, search The Persians of Iran (officially named Persia by West until 1935 while still referred to as Persia by some ) are an Iranian people who speak Persian (named Farsi by native speakers) and often refer to themselves as ethnic Iranians as well. ... Byzantium was an ancient Greek city-state, founded by Greek colonists from Megara in 667 BC and named after their king Byzas. ... Events Nan Xiao Ming Di succeeds Nan Liang Xuan Di as ruler of the Chinese Nan Liang Dynasty. ... Abkhazia (Abkhaz Аҧсны/Aphsny, Georgian აფხაზეთი/Apkhazeti, Russian Абха́зия/Abkhazia) is a region of 8,600 km² (3,300 sq. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ... The Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church (საქართველოს სამოციქულო ავტოკეფალური მართლმადიდებელი ეკლესია (Saqartvelos Samotsiqulo Avtokepaluri Martlmadidebeli Eklesia) in Georgian language) is one of the worlds most ancient Christian Churches, founded in the 1st century by the Apostle Andrew. ... Tamar of Georgia Tamar (1160-1213), from the House of Bagrationi, was Queen of the Kingdom of Georgia from 1184 to 1213. ... Events Abbeville receives its commercial charter. ... Jump to: navigation, search Events September 12 - Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester defeats Peter II of Aragon, the king of Aragon at the Battle of Muret. ...

The marauding Mongols never reached here and for a time Svaneti became a cultural safe house. Following the final disintegration of the Kingdom of Georgia in the 1460s, fighting broke out for controlling the province. Part of Upper Svaneti formed an independent principality, while Lower Svaneti was gradually subdued by the Mingrelian princes. Facing serious internal conflict, Prince Tsioq’ Dadeshkeliani of Svaneti signed a treaty of protectorate with the Imperial Russia on November 26, 1833. Difficult to access, the region retained significant autonomy until 1857, when Russia took advantage of the dynasty feud in Svaneti and effectively abolished the principality’s autonomy. In 1875, the Russians toughened their rule by imposing additional taxes. Protests ensued, and Russia deployed troops against the province. Despite having suffered heavy losses, the Russian army units eventually crushed the rebels burning their stronghold Khalde to the ground in 1876. Jump to: navigation, search Mongol Empire in 1300–1405 The Mongol Empire (1206–1368) was the largest contiguous and second largest empire in world history. ... Centuries: 14th century - 15th century - 16th century Decades: 1410s 1420s 1430s 1440s 1450s - 1460s - 1470s 1480s 1490s 1500s 1510s Years: 1460 1461 1462 1463 1464 1465 1466 1467 1468 1469 Events and Trends Sonni Ali, first Songhai king, conquers many of his African neighbors. ... Mingrelia (Samegrelo in Georgian) is a historic province in the western part of the republic of Georgia, formerly also known as Odishi. ... Dadeshkeliani (also known as Dadishkeliani; დადეშქელიანი, დადიშქელიანი in Georgian) was an aristocratic family from the mountainous western Georgian province of Svaneti. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of Russian history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... November 26 is the 330th day (331st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1833 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1875 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1876 is a leap year starting on Saturday. ...

Part of the Russian governance of Kutais, Svaneti was divided into two districts (raions) – Mestia and Lentekhi under the Soviet rule. Scattered guerilla actions against the Bolsheviks occurred in the province in 1922-1924. Kutaisi (Georgian: ; ancient names: Aea/Aia, Kutatisi, Kutaïssi ) is Georgias second city in the western province of Imereti. ... See rayon for the textile made of processed cellulose. ... Categories: Caucasus geography stubs ... Lentekhi is a small town and Lentekhi District’s (Raion) capital in Georgia’s western region of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, 323 km northwest to the nation’s capital Tbilisi. ... Jump to: navigation, search State motto (Russian): Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! (Transliterated: Proletarii vsekh stran, soedinyaytes!) (Translated: Workers of the world, unite!) Anthems: The Internationale (1922-1944) / Hymn of the Soviet Union (1944-1991) Capital Moscow Official language None; Russian (de facto) Government Federation of Socialist republics/ Communist state Last Premier Ivan Silayev Last... Bolshevik Party Meeting. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1922 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1924 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

In 1987 avalanches destroyed several homes and killed seventy, mostly school children. Collapse of the Soviet Union, and subsequent civil war created severe socioeconomic problems in the region. While the Svan population resisted the unpleasant conditions of the high mountain environment they lived in for centuries, the increasing economic difficulties of the last two decades and frequent natural disasters – floods and landsides as of April 2005 ([1]) have brought about a strong tendency towards migration. The province became a safe haven for criminals threatening local residents and tourists. Large-scale anti-criminal operations carried out by the Georgian Special Forces as of March 2004 ([2]) resulted in significant improvement of the situation. Jump to: navigation, search 1987 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search A Himalayan avalanche. ... The Georgian Civil War consisted of inter-ethnic conflicts in the regions of South Ossetia (1991-1992) and Abkhazia (1992-1993), as well as the overthrow of President Zviad Gamsakhurdia and his subsequent uprising in an attempt to regain power (1991-1993). ... Look up Flood on Wiktionary, the free dictionary A flood (in Old English flod, a word common to Teutonic languages; compare German Flut, Dutch vloed from the same root as is seen in flow, float) is an overflow of water, an expanse of water submerging land, a deluge. ... April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of four with the length of 30 days. ... Jump to: navigation, search 2005(MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March is the third month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... Jump to: navigation, search 2004(MMIV) is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Population

The Svans, indigenous population of the area, are ethnographic group of the Georgian people. Until the 1930s Megrelians and Svans had their own census grouping, but were classified under the broader category of Georgian thereafter. They are Georgian Orthodox Christians, and were Christianized in the 4th-6th centuries. However, some remnants of old paganism have been maintained. Saint George (known as Jgëræg to the locals), a patron saint of Georgia, is the most respected saint. The Svans have retained many of their old traditions, including blood revenge. Their families are small, and the husband is the head of his family. The Svan really respect the older women in families. Georgians (ქართველი ერი (Kartveli Eri) or ქართველები (Kartvelebi) in Georgian language) are a nation or ethnic group (ethnos), originating in the Caucasus, one of the most ancient peoples of the world. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1930 is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... The Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church (საქართველოს სამოციქულო ავტოკეფალური მართლმადიდებელი ეკლესია (Saqartvelos Samotsiqulo Avtokepaluri Martlmadidebeli Eklesia) in Georgian language) is one of the worlds most ancient Christian Churches, founded in the 1st century by the Apostle Andrew. ... Saint George (ca 275/280–April 23, 303) was a soldier of the Roman Empire and later Christian martyr. ... In several forms of Christianity, but especially in Roman Catholicism, a patron saint has special affinity for a trade or group. ...

Typically bilingual, they use both Georgian and their own, unwritten Svan language, which together with the Georgian, Megrelian, and Laz languages constitute the Kartvelian, or South Caucasian language family. The Svan language is being largely replaced by the Georgian proper. The Svan language (Lushnu nin in Svan, Svanuri ena or სვანური ენა in Georgian) is a language spoken in Northwest Georgia. ... The Megrelian language (Megruli ena in Georgian, Margaluri nina in Megrelian), sometimes called Mingrelian, is a language spoken in northwest Georgia. ... The Laz language (Lazuri in Laz, ლაზური (Lazuri) or ჭანური (Chanuri) in Georgian) is spoken by an ethnic group of the same name on the Southeast shore of the Black Sea. ... The South Caucasian languages, also called the Kartvelian languages, are spoken primarily in Georgia, with smaller groups of speakers in Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine and other countries. ...

Culture and tourism

Svaneti is known for their architectural treasures and picturesque landscapes. The Botany of Svanetia is legendary among travelers. The famous Svanetian towers erected mainly in the 9th-12th centuries, make the region’s villages more attractive. In the province are dozens of Georgian Orthodox churches and various fortification buildings. Architectural monuments of Upper Svaneti are included in a list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Jump to: navigation, search UNESCO logo The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, commonly known as UNESCO, is a specialized agency of the United Nations system established in 1945. ... World Heritage Site #86: Memphis and its Necropolis, including the Pyramids of Giza (Egypt). ...

Song and dance are the most wonderful places the Svanish culture survives. Svaneti has the most complex form of polyphony, traditional to the Georgian vocal music. Georgian music is characterized by polyphony, which distinguishes it from its neighbors like Armenia. ...

See also

• Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti

• Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti

• Kodori Valley

• Dadeshkeliani

Kodori Valley (also known as the Kodori Gorge) is a river valley in Abkhazia, Georgias rebel province and serves de facto boundary between Georgia and Abkhazia. ... Dadeshkeliani (also known as Dadishkeliani; დადეშქელიანი, დადიშქელიანი in Georgian) was an aristocratic family from the mountainous western Georgian province of Svaneti. ...

External links

• Images of Svaneti

• Frescos and icons from Svaneti (in German)

• Svan language

• Svan language