Georgia - Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands

"The site comprises seven component parts, within an 80km long corridor along the warm-temperate and extremely humid eastern coast of the Black Sea. They provide a series of the most typical Colchic ecosystems at altitudes ranging from sea level to more than 2,500 metres above it. The main ecosystems are ancient deciduous Colchic rainforests and wetlands, percolation bogs and other mire types of the distinct Colchic mire region. The extremely humid broad-leaved rainforests comprise a highly diverse flora and fauna, with very high densities of endemic and relict species, with significant numbers of globally threatened species and relict species, which survived the glacial cycles of the Tertiary. The site is home to approximately 1,100 species of vascular and non-vascular plants, including 44 threatened vascular plan species, and almost 500 species of vertebrates, and a high number of invertebrate species. The site also harbours 19 threatened animal species including sturgeon, notably the critically endangered Colchic Sturgeon. It is a key stopover for many globally threatened birds that migrate through the Batumi bottleneck."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Two nice postcards of Kelkheti National Park, Guria, Georgia. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France for mailing them inside an envelope from Tblisi, Georgia.

Georgia - Historical Monuments of Mtskheta

"The historic churches of Mtskheta, former capital of Georgia, are outstanding examples of medieval religious architecture in the Caucasus. They show the high artistic and cultural level attained by this ancient kingdom." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Mtskheta, Georgia. Thanks to Sini of Finland who bought this postcard in Georgia.

Postcard 2

A panaroma size postcard of Jvari Monastery, Mtskheta, Georgia. Thanks to Shawn of New Zealand who was visiting Georgia. Received in June 2019.

Georgia - Gelati Monastery

"Bagrati Cathedral has been removed from the list. The Gelati Monastery, whose main buildings were erected between the 12th and 17th centuries, is a well-preserved complex, with wonderful mosaics and wall paintings. The cathedral and monastery represent the flowering of medieval architecture in Georgia." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Gelati Monastery

Georgia - Upper Svaneti

"Preserved by its long isolation, the Upper Svaneti region of the Caucasus is an exceptional example of mountain scenery with medieval-type villages and tower-houses. The village of Chazhashi still has more than 200 of these very unusual houses, which were used both as dwellings and as defence posts against the invaders who plagued the region." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1

Svaneti 100 years ago. Thanks to Uli of Austria for mailing from Austria.

 

Postcard 2

Svaneti, Georgia. Thanks to Holger of Belgium for mailing from Georgia.

Postcard 3

A beautiful postcard of Svaneti with Svanian tower. Thanks to Lenore of Germany who visited Georgia.