What the highest and most isolated village in Europe looks like: only one person - an 84-year-old man - lives there. Photo and video
At an altitude of 2,345 meters above sea level in the mountains of Georgia, the village of Bochorma is home to only one person, 84-year-old Irakli Khvedaguridze. The man has spent his entire life in the mountains, but despite this, he is the only licensed doctor in the remote Tusheti region.
Interestingly, Bochorma is the highest village in Europe. Nowadays, the only official resident is accompanied by his horse Bichola, who serves as a companion all year round. In a travel report for the YouTube channel Yes Theory, Irakli explained that he is trying to preserve the last pockets of life in the mountains.
Bochorma
Source: Screenshot
When asked by bloggers about the thought of leaving his home village, the man said, "You also have to think about the well-being of others. I go to help people who are sick. Even when I am sick, I still put on my hat and get on that horse."
Irakli Khvedaguridze is a doctor
Source: Screenshot
However, the man does not know who could work as a doctor in the mountains in case of his death.
According to a tourist guidebook in Georgia, people live in only 10 villages in the Tusheti region, albeit sporadically. But about 40 settlements have been left empty. Sheep farming used to be widespread in the mountains, keeping people close to their homes, but new generations have refused to continue their ancestors' business and have left the region.
Bochorma
Source: Screenshot
"The way of life [has changed]. No one wants to work in villages anymore. If this continues, there will be no more winter tourism," Khvedaguridze explained the problem of the decline of mountain villages.
Irakli Khvedaguridze is the only resident of Bochorma
Source: Screenshot
Not far from the 84-year-old man's home, there is a stone church dating back to the 1800s. He prays there regularly and is the only one who visits the building.
The stone church of Bochorma.
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