Mitsu — The Most Impregnable Castle in Khevsureti
Tourists know it as Mutso, although the real name of the Khevsur village is მიცუ (Mitsu). When the country was absorbed by the Russian Empire, the name was incorrectly indicated in the records, and since then it has been fixed on Russian and Soviet maps.
The castle-city is located on a rock at an altitude of 1,880 meters above sea level, on the right bank of the Andakiskhevi River in the northeastern part of the Georgian historical region of Khevsureti.
Khevsureti is the homeland of the most severe and freedom-loving Georgian warriors. A land without masters, whose combat detachments were often the core of the troops of the kings of Georgia in the struggle against the invaders. Khevsurs have lived all their history on the northern border of the country and guarded it. Mitsu Castle was one of the main outposts of the north. It was never captured, despite frequent raids by the mountaineers from the North Caucasus.
The citadel was mainly inhabited by two families: Shetekauri and Daiauri. In the 19th century, the fortress was depopulated, like many other Khevsur villages. Magnificent buildings eventually fell into disrepair and collapsed.
In 2004, the idea of rehabilitating Mitsu arose, which over time was implemented at the state level. Thanks to this, in 2019, the project of the restored fortress won the award for the preservation of cultural heritage Europa Nostra.
In our time, a descendant of the ancient family Nugzar Daiauri lives in the fortress.
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