The 'Hidden Mural's Journey in Upper Svaneti' is a cultural route created for the general public. Its aim is to highlight and draw travelers’ attention to a remarkable phenomenon—the medieval wall paintings of Upper Svaneti—emerging from the region’s immensely rich and diverse cultural heritage. The proposed cultural route will be particularly interesting for those interested in Christian art and the history of art in general, for pilgrims, for travelers fascinated by mountain cultural landscapes, and for cultural route enthusiasts overall.

The 'Hidden Mural's Journey in Upper Svaneti' provisionally offers three cultural routes. Route 1 includes 26 churches and is intended for travelers planning to stay in Svaneti for at least 10 days. Routes 2 and 3 are shorter and provide recommendations based on where visitors are staying—whether in the Latali and Becho communities or the Kala and Ushguli communities. In addition to information about the specific church paintings, the website provides visitors with practical information about the traditional crafts and trades in the surrounding villages, accommodation options, and more.

The project is implemented with the support of the US Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia and the assistance of the Patriarchate of Georgia. The project concept is inspired by the publication Upper Svaneti. Medieval Wall Painting, published by the G. Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation. The editor of the publication is Dr. Marine Kenia (2010).

Project Lead – Nato Tsintsabadze

Expedition Lead – Marine Kenia

Expedition Members – Lia Bokuchava, Nino Kordzakhia, Lela Ninoshvili, Manana Tevzadze, Maqi Kvitsiani

Project Manager – Mariam Khurtsilava