Dusheti Municipality old photos

Georgian Military Highway. Paisanaur (Pasanauri) Station, 1900-1910
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Military - Georgian road. Mleti station, 1981
The Aragvi Gorge begins near the village of Mleti, stretching along the White Aragvi River valley. This region of Georgia, called Mtiuleti, with its historical center in the village of Pasanauri, derives its name from the Georgian word "mta," meaning mountain. The inhabitants, known as Mtiuls, were historically valued for their warrior spirit. Georgian kings strategically populated this area to defend the kingdom's borders. Numerous fortresses, towers, and guard posts still stand as testaments to this history. The Aragvians were renowned for their bravery and loyalty. In 1795, 300 Aragvian warriors, sworn to defend Tbilisi against Persian invaders led by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, died heroically. A street, bridge, and park in Tbilisi commemorate their sacrifice, as does a spring named "300 Aragvians" near the village of Chartali. Mleti sits at the foot of the treeless Mount Lomisi, where the Aragvi valley widens. A stream of reddish-brown lava flows along the left slope. Before the construction of the Mleti descent, the village was off the main route of the Georgian Military Road. The new road brought increased traffic and a post station, considered the best equipped along the Tiflis-Vladikavkaz route, which now houses a school. A watchtower remains at the village's northern edge, and an old church stands within Mleti itself. Modern Mleti is a significant settlement along the Georgian Military Road, with a post office, hotel, and restaurant. A small hydroelectric power station operates nearby on a tributary of the White Aragvi. The ruins of a small church can be found 7 km from Mleti in the upper reaches of the Aragvi.

Georgian Military Road. Ascent to Gudauri, 1981-1985
The ascent to the Cross Pass (Georgian Military Road) was once a “testing ground” for mountain tests carried out under the most severe conditions.

Georgian Military Road. Monastery of St. George on the Lomis Pass, 1886
This church owes its existence to a miracle that occurred in the 13th century. Then Jalal-ed-Din with a large army of Persians and Khorezmians attacked Georgia and took seven thousand people captive. The prisoners took with them the Mtiul shrine - the icon of St. George of Gzovan. According to legend, this icon caused an unprecedented drought in the country of the invaders. The Sultan turned to fortune tellers for help. They explained that the cause of the disaster was “an icon from Gurjistan.” “Burn her in the oven,” the Sultan immediately ordered. They tried to carry out the order, but the intact icon rose into the air and then landed on the horns of a white bull. The bull did not move until the Sultan ordered the release of all captives. A bull with an icon on its horns and a crowd of liberated people moved towards Georgia. Returning to his homeland, the white bull, to everyone’s surprise, did not climb the Gzovan Mountain, but walked along a steep path to the top of the ridge separating the Ksani and Aragvi gorges, and there he breathed his last. A church was built on this site. To this day it is called the Church of St. George of Lomis, since the bull’s name was Lomi, which translates as Lev. E.O.Fomina. “Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious” Modern views: http: photos.wikimapia.org p 00 01 61 74 22_big.jpg http: photos.wikimapia.org p 00 01 61 74 25_big.jpg http: photos.wikimapia.org p 00 01 61 74 28_big .jpg