Şavşat is a border district of Artvin Province in northeastern Türkiye. The district center is located in the Çoruh Valley at an elevation of 1,100 meters. Ardahan is to the east , Ardanuç to the south, Artvin city center to the west, and the Republic of Georgia to the north. The district covers an area of 1,317 km², most of which is covered by forest. Şavşat is a strategic stop on the Artvin-Ardahan highway .
History
Şavşat's earliest known settlement dates back to the region's history, where it hosted diverse tribes throughout the ages thanks to the natural shelter afforded by its geographic structure . Between 950 and 650 BC, Şavşat and its surroundings, incorporated into the Urartian Kingdom, were suitable for both defensive and agricultural activities with their high plateaus, dense forests, and streams. During this period, Cimmerian tribes, simultaneously with the Urartians, also settled in the region, sustaining their lives through cultural and economic interactions.
The Saka Turks, who descended into the South Caucasus from the mid-1st millennium BC onward , gradually blended with the local populations, further enriching Şavşat's ethnic mosaic. Subsequently , the region became a strategic point for the border defense of the Roman Empire's eastern flank, and in the 3rd century AD, it formed the intersection of the inter-imperial rivalry with the Sassanids. As a result, it witnessed significant cultural transitions between Christianity and Zoroastrianism .
During the Ottoman period, Şavşat entered a new era with the conquest of Rize by Yavuz Sultan Selim (who served as the governor of Trabzon as the governor of the province ) in the 16th century and its annexation by the Ottoman Empire. Artvin, Şavşat, and Ardanuç were incorporated into the administrative structure as adjacent sanjaks. This period is recorded as a century of accelerated construction of castles , inns , and mosques in the region, and of reorganization of security and trade routes .
As a result of the uprisings and wartime treaties signed at the end of the 1877–1878 Russo-Turkish War, Artvin, Ardanuç, Borçka, and Şavşat came under Russian rule for a short time. This occupation, which lasted approximately 43 years, led to significant changes in the region's demographics through Russian administrative practices and migration . However , in 1921, the Turkish Army crossed the Sahara Mountains and recaptured Şavşat, Ardanuç, and Artvin, thus rejoining the region within Turkish territory. Following the proclamation of the Republic, Şavşat remained within the borders of the Republic of Türkiye as a district of Artvin Province.
Geography and Climate
Covering an area of approximately 1,317 km², Şavşat has an extremely rugged and mountainous surface . Elevations reach up to 1,100 m in the town center, while plateaus and mountain peaks reach 2,500–3,000 m.
This geographic complexity has transformed much of the land into a rich forest landscape. In addition to broadleaf (beech, hornbeam) and coniferous (spruce, Scots pine) forests, alpine meadow and pasture ecosystems are found in the high plateaus. Rivers and streams in the valleys of the foothills provide both drainage networks and irrigation facilities, paving the way for the development of agricultural activities in the region (especially potatoes and corn).
In terms of climate, Şavşat is a transitional area: the humid, rainy character of the Black Sea climate and the stable temperature differences of the continental climate intertwine here.
Summers : Warm and relatively cool. Average temperatures in July and August are around 18–20 °C. Humid air masses frequently cause precipitation; brief but intense showers are common, especially in late summer.
Winters : Harsh and snowy . From December to February , daytime temperatures generally drop below 0°C, and at night, temperatures can drop to −10°C. In mountainous areas, due to the humidity of the Black Sea, snow depths reach 1–2 meters.
Precipitation : The annual total varies between 900 and 1,200 mm. The highest precipitation occurs in autumn and spring; in winter, due to the influence of the sea , it falls as heavy snow.
The district's high altitude and dense forest cover create significant daily temperature variations and microclimate diversity. South-facing slopes warm up relatively earlier, while north-facing valleys experience extended periods of shade . This characteristic influences both natural habitat and local settlement patterns. Şavşat's complex geography and climate enrich its vegetation and human activities, particularly transhumance, forestry, and tourism.
Population‑Demography
According to the 2023 Address Based Population Registration System data, the total population of Şavşat is 16,534. The district is administratively governed by two municipalities : the "center" and the "town".
Economy
Şavşat's economy has been shaped primarily by the constraints imposed by its natural conditions—its steep, mountainous terrain and limited agricultural land. While there are no industrial investments in the district, the people's primary source of income is livestock farming.
Animal Husbandry and Shepherding Traditions: Small livestock (sheep and goat) farming has been the most common source of income in the district for many years; the practice of shepherding continues today as a profession passed down from generation to generation, based on a master-apprentice relationship . Young shepherds are apprenticed to their masters for a period of time, honing their skills, and then earn the title of "herdmaster" by managing their own flocks. Furthermore, cattle and poultry farming are becoming more widespread, adding diversity to the local economy.
Forestry and the wood-log trade: The rich forest cover covering nearly 70% of Şavşat has made the wood and log trade an important economic activity unique to the region . Raw materials obtained from the forests are used for domestic consumption and as a raw material source for lumber mills in Artvin and the surrounding area.
Beekeeping and by-products: The highlands, where the Black Sea and continental climates meet, boast a rich flora and a diverse range of flowers suitable for beekeeping . Şavşat honey stands out in regional development thanks to colonies that feed on aromatic plant and flower pollen.
Nature and Plateau Tourism: In recent years, the Şavşat district's plateaus, forest ponds, and hiking trails have begun to be utilized within the scope of ecotourism and cultural tourism. These developments have opened up new tourism opportunities for the district and contributed to the local economy.
Visitors have the opportunity to experience the region through activities such as staying in mountain houses, participating in traditional transhumance activities, and sampling local cuisine . This encourages the development of rural accommodation facilities, small- scale businesses, and local guide services.
Tourist Locations and Products
- Karagöl : This 8-10 hectare glacial lake in the northeast of the district can be reached via a 30 km dirt road; there are recreational facilities and wildlife opportunities in the vicinity.
- Satlel Castle : In the Söğütlü District, the ruins of the inner castle and city walls built by the Bagratid Kingdom in the 9th century can be seen.
- Meydancık Papart Valley : It attracts attention with its wooden architecture and forests with the status of a first degree natural protected area.
- Tibeti Church : The stone church of the Bagratid period, dated 899–914, in Cevizli Village stands out with its unique decorations.
- Meydancık Arch Bridge : It is an example of the medieval single-span arch bridge group in the Taşköprü District.
Traditional theatre , folk dances , local music and instruments, handicrafts and unique wooden folk architecture are common in Şavşat.
The culinary tradition of Artvin continues in Şavşat. The main products include:
- Milk and dairy products : Cheese pudding, clotted cream pudding
- Mountain herbs and vegetables : Mountain beet, bird meal, gümü, vine leaves and cabbage rolls
- Pastries : Laz pastry, katmer, noodles, hınkal
- Meat and grain dishes : Winter roast, shish kebab, keşkek, herisa
- Desserts and soups : Hasuta, honey lokum, pushuruk soup.
Şavşat is one of Türkiye's highest districts, with land rising to 1,100 meters above sea level. Its proximity to the Georgian border offers a rich mix of forest and plateau ecosystems, as well as natural protected areas.
