TOURIST'S GUIDE

Latali Community

It takes about fifteen minutes to drive from Mestia to Latali by a motor road. This was once a free community of people not subservient to any lord, situated on the edge of Svaneti and thus always well fortified. The communities on its lower approaches were held by princes Dadeshkeliani: Becho, Etseri, Ipari, Chubekhevi, Ckhumari and Lakhamula communities. There have been built many battle towers to protect the community from the lords; some of them are still present. You can also see ancient fortifications left from the medieval time.

Host Families in Latali Community

(Click on the pictures below for a larger image)

There are about twenty five family churches in Latali; most of them ruined. They are built predominantly away from the road, up in the mountains. The most famous of them are - Matskhvari, Matskhovari/Our Savior/Church (village Matskhvarishi), Taringzeli - the Archangel's Church (village Matskhvarishi), Jgragi - Saint George's Church (village Lankvami) and Ieni (in village Iena).

The Matskhvari Church is built on heights, at the foot of which passes the main road. The church was built in XI-XII centuries, while its bell tower constructed on four pillars belongs to XVII - XVIII centuries.

The Matskhvari is Latali's main Church. In May the local people celebrate the holiday of Pusd (Pusd-Khanilitvali), which means the birth of A Bull from Pusd.

The Matskhvari was painted in 1142 year by Miqael Maghlakelidze. Here besides traditional subjects from the gospel you can see an interesting and unique fresco, representing the enthronement of the king Demetre I, a son of David Aghmashenebeli. Presently it is the only fresco preserving the image of Demetre I, or, as he was named in his monkhood, the Reverend Damiane, the author of the chant "Shen Khar Venakhi".

The Matskhvari Church

The Taringzeli Church