Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source 13 places to visit in the Şavşat district of Artvin: Karagöl-Sahara National Park, Şavşat Castle and Sahara Plateau. Plan your trip to Şavşat with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Şavşat district covers an area of 1,316 km² and lies at an altitude of 1,127 metres. Şavşat, a small settlement, was included in the Cittaslow network in 2015 and joined the ranks of Türkiye’s slow cities.
The Şavşeti region, part of Tao-Klarjeti, lay within the borders of various states in ancient times. According to the Ottoman population register of 1835, the Şavşat area was a sanjak attached to Çıldır Eyalet.
Şavşat was included in the Cittaslow network in 2015. Şavşat Castle was commissioned by Adarnase I, King of Iberia. The Ottomans took the region from the Georgians in the second half of the 16th century. After the Ottoman-Russian War of 1877-1878, the Şavşat region was left to Russia. The Mariyoba festival has been held again as the Mariyoba Festival since 2005.
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Photo: Sairzamanlar (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source A castle at the entrance to Şavşat district centre, 2 km from the centre, built during the Georgian Bagrationi Kingdom. The medieval castle remains stand out for their commanding position over the valley.
View on mapA castle in Söğütlü Mahalle of Şavşat; its plan resembles Bagrationi castles.
View on mapA single-arch bridge over the Bocanat Stream in Meydancık town, Şavşat.
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Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source Lying 25 km from Şavşat district centre, Karagöl-Sahara National Park covers 35 km² and is Artvin's most important natural protected area. The heart-shaped Karagöl lake and Sahara Plateau offer a unique landscape surrounded by spruce forests.
View on mapWithin Karagöl-Sahara National Park, Sahara Plateau is an ideal camping and walking area for nature lovers in summer, with green meadows and wildflowers. Panoramic views of the Caucasus mountains can be seen from the plateau.
View on map Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source Karagöl, at 1,500 metres, is a lake formed by a landslide. The heart-shaped lake, its surrounding spruce forests and its reflections make it one of the most photogenic natural areas in Türkiye.
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Photo: Sairzamanlar (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source The plateaus in the high parts of Şavşat are covered with wide meadows and forests reaching to the Georgian border. Pınarlı, Veliköy and Meydancık plateaus are the best-known highland areas.
View on mapA national park within Şavşat's borders, made up of two separate areas, Karagöl and Sahara.
View on mapThe plateau of Maden village in Şavşat; it stands out for its interesting wooden architecture.
View on mapA plateau attached to Meydancık town, Şavşat, where the Gevrek Festival is held every July.
View on mapRock chambers on a steep cliff in Kirazlı village, Şavşat.
View on mapWhile you are in Şavşat, you can also see the highlights of Artvin province. These places are in other districts.
Kuymak, made with cornmeal, butter and civil cheese, is Şavşat's best-loved traditional dish. It is served stirred continuously over a fire until it reaches a stretchy consistency.
Collard green leaves wrapped around a rice filling, this sarma is an indispensable winter dish of Şavşat cuisine.
Traditional bread baked on a griddle or in an oven from cornmeal, the basic food of Şavşat tables. It is eaten with cheese and butter.
Cheese produced from the milk of animals grazing on Şavşat's high plateaus, known for its distinctive aroma. It is eaten fresh or matured.
Şavşat was once part of the Samtskhe region of the Georgian Kingdom. Şavşat Castle and the church remains in the surrounding area are evidence of the cultural heritage of this period.
Plateau festivals held in summer in Şavşat keep local culture alive with traditional music, folk dances and exhibitions of local products.
The economy of Şavşat rests on livestock farming, forestry, beekeeping and tourism. Cattle farming and dairy production take place on the high plateaus. Karagöl-Sahara National Park and plateau tourism have become an important source of income in recent years. Beekeeping and honey production are traditional livelihoods.
Şavşat is reached by road, 65 km from Artvin city centre. The nearest airport is Rize-Artvin Airport (180 km). There is one bus service a day from Artvin.
The highlights of Şavşat are 13 sites: Karagöl-Sahara National Park, Şavşat Castle, Sahara Plateau, Karagöl, Şavşat Plateaus, Sahara Karagöl National Park, Satlel Castle, Tibeti Church, Meydancık Stone Arched Bridge, Cancır Plateau, Kirazlı Village Rock Chambers, Sateve Plateau and Maden Village.
Kuymak, Karalahana Sarması, Mısır Ekmeği and Şavşat Peyniri are the standout flavours on Şavşat tables.
Şavşat is known for Şavşat Ketesi and the Georgian Kingdom Heritage. It is a product registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication.
Şavşat is reached by road, 65 km from Artvin city centre. The nearest airport is Rize-Artvin Airport (180 km). There is one bus service a day from Artvin.
Suggested visit length: 2-3 days. Best time to visit: summer months (June-September).