MACHUBI
The residential house of a Svan (Machubi) is a big two-storied building. The family lived on the ground floor with their livestock and hay and provisions were stored on the second floor. The house was heated by a hearth in the centre of a large room and was where the family cooked their food. As a rule, a tower was attached to the house. Sometimes a Svan family consisted of up to thirty or even a hundred members. We can still find such huge residential compounds in the Mulakhi
community. For example, a three meter fence surrounds the home of the Kaldani clan. There are two towers (one still in a good condition), a small church with distinctive crosses, icons and sanctuaries. Judging by the ruins there were probably three houses; a three-story and a pair of two-story homes. There was also a threshingfloor, dungeon and secret tunnels connecting the residential area to the outside world. Similar homes can be found in the town of Mestia and the village of Latali.
SVANETI MOUNTAINS Surrounded by 3,000–5,000 meter peaks, Svaneti is the highest inhabited area in the Caucasus. Four of the 10 highest peaks of the Caucasus are located in the region. The highest mountain in Georgia, Mount Shkhara at 5,201 meters (17,059 feet), is located in the province. Prominent peaks include Tetnuldi (4,974m./16,319ft.), Shota Rustaveli (4,960m./16,273ft.), Mt. Ushba (4,710m./15,453ft.), Ailama (4,525m./14,842ft.), as well as Lalveri, Latsga and others.
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