Georgia Caucasus-Shatili 1st June 2009

6th to 12th century towers of Shatili, largely abandoned in the 1950s, painted by a local artist.

Pagan symbols? Please send me more information.

A recently renovated tower for tourists. Comfortable, romantic, affordable and you should book.

The sacred burial ground. No women allowed.




























Flowers of Shatili


















Hyoscyamus niger Henbane (poisonous)

















Cynaoglossum officinale Hounds-Tongue

















The new village built by Shevardnadze in 1950s (beautiful socialist architecture).


















And on the other side of the road their byres and bee hives.

A large ferocious Caucasian dog. They guard flocks and homesteads and if a snarling, barking pack bounds towards you are so glad when the owner calls them off. This one guards the whole village but we played together. They don't always like being nasty.



Ref 'Georgia Brandt Travel Guide' by Tim Burford