Ratscha-Letschchumi and Lower Vanetia - Ratscha-Letschchumi und Niederswanetien

Ratscha-Letschchumi and Lower Vanetia(Georgian: რაჭა-ლეჩხუმი და ქვემო სვანეთი, Račʼa-Lečxumi da Kvemo Svaneti) is a Georgian Administrative region (Mchare) on the upper reaches of the Rioni and Zcheniszkali rivers. The administrative seat is the small town Ambrolauri.

Regions

The modern administrative region roughly comprises the three historical regions of Ratscha (districts / Raioni Ambrolauri and Oni), Letschchumien (district Zageri) and downsvaneti (District Lentechi). Small parts in the east of the region, especially around the Mamisoni Pass and around the small town of Kwaissa, are in South Ossetia.

places

• Ambrolauri - Administrative seat of the region and historical capital of Ratscha
• Oni - District capital in the east of Ratscha
• Zageri - the historical capital of Lechchumia
• Lentechi - local center of Niedersvaneti

Other goals

• Schowi, Health resort in the east of Ratscha
• Nikorzminda
• Chvanchkhara wine-growing region
• Schaori reservoir

background

language

Apart from standard Georgian with a slight hint of dialect, the Svaneti language - a strong dialect of Georgian, almost incomprehensible for Georgians - can also be heard in Lower Svaneti. Ossetians also live in the Oni district. The common foreign language is Russian, you won't get very far with English or German.

getting there

• From Tbilisi and Kutaisi marshrutkas drive to the region, as well as one can leave Tkibuli, Terdschola and Sestaponi Take minibuses.
• The best routes are by car Imereti, the regional roads of Terdschola, Tkibuli and Tzkaltubo are very well developed.
• The connection via the Mamissoni Pass to Russia (Ossetian Heeresstrasse) and from Oni to South Ossetia (Tskhinvali) are currently not passable.
• The connecting road to Upper Svaneti from Lentechi to Ushguli over the Zagari pass is in poor condition and only accessible in the summer months in dry weather with off-road vehicles, appropriate driving experience is advantageous.

mobility

Minibuses (marshrutkas) run within the region. Locals are very helpful towards foreigners and often offer you a ride in your own car, often free of charge.

Tourist Attractions

• Nikorzminda Cathedral. Built in the 11th century and expanded in the 17th century, it offers superbly preserved, imposing frescoes from the 17th century.last change: not specified

• Oni Synagoguelast change: not specified

activities

• Mountain hikes, especially, but not only, around the health resort Schowi

kitchen

• The wine of the same name (Khvanchkhara), which is especially famous in the former Soviet Union, is grown in Chwantschkhara. The semi-sweet red dessert wine only grows in the vicinity of the village, the designation of origin is protected. Because of the small amount cultivated, the wine is very expensive (from 30 lari per bottle) and cheaper variants are almost always fake or contain very little wine from the Chwantschkhara grapes.

nightlife

security

• When hiking in the mountains, you have to bring the right equipment with you and watch out for sudden changes in the weather. It is advisable to hire a mountain guide. Almost all accommodations can be arranged by guides (from approx. 60 Lari per day).
• There are some contaminated sites from Soviet-era arsenic mining in the region. Some of these reservoirs were affected during heavy rain in October 2013, but it is not clear whether and how much arsenic had entered the rivers or drinking water.

climate

Mountain climate with cold, snowy winters and humid, warm summers. Higher mountain areas, such as the Zagari Pass, can be inaccessible until June due to snow conditions.

literature

Web links