Mtispiri (მთისპირი) is a village in the Guria region, 20 km southeast from region capital Ozurgeti. The village is known for its medieval churches and ancient fortress, also for its clay mining.

Mtispiri village

Talk

See also: Georgian phrasebook

Gurians speak much more quickly than average Georgians from other regions, so it is more complicated to understand them. When in need for help, look for younger people; they are more likely to know some English.

Get in

By bus

Minibus from Ozurgeti and Batumi departs every day. Minibus from Ozurgeti costs 2 lari. from Chokhatauri, but especially from Ozurgeti. From there you can take a taxi or auto stop.

By car

Mtispiri can be reached from Ozurgeti through local road Bakvhi-Smhvidobarui-Mtispiri or Dvabzu-Pampaleti-Mtispiri. Both roads are old and not paved. SUV will be good option for driving.

Get around

You can easily walk in Mtispiri.

See

Askana Fortress, depicted in an old photograph

• 1 Askana fortress (ასკანის ციხე). With six-meter high stone walls built in the 4th century. It is located on the left side of river Bakhvistskali. On the way to the fortress you will find two small lakes. (updated Jul 2015)
• 2 Clay mining (ბენტონიტური თიხების საბადო). (updated Jul 2015)
• 3 Maria Hill and church (მარიამას გორი). (updated Jul 2015)
• 4 Intskirveli's church (ინწკირველების ეკლესია). (updated Jul 2015)
• 5 Vaniskedi Church (ვანისქედის ეკლესია). (updated Jul 2015)

Do

Festival in Askana

• There is a path going through woods from Vaniskedi (4 km south of Mtispiri) to Bakhmaro.
• There is a local festival every 30 August in village Askana, 2 km east from Mtispiri

Buy

There is one small market in the 1 village center. You can find other small markets in the centers of nearby villages 2 Askana and 3 Bakhvi .

Drink

• 1 Chkhaveri (ჩხავერი). try the most famous Gurian Wine Chkhaveri (Rose wine). Guria seems to be not a wine region such as Kakheti, but, truly, Guria has very big tradition on wine making and Chkhaveri is best of them. 1L 20 lari. (updated Aug 2015)

Go next

• Ozurgeti
• Khidistavi
• Bakhmaro