The Oniani Tower and Machubi in Chukuli village of Lentekhi Municipality stand as an exceptional testament to the traditional fortified residential architecture of Lower Svaneti. This historic complex has been officially protected as an Immovable Monument of Cultural Heritage since December 6, 2017 by the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Protection of Georgia. Nestled in the Nakisheri district, the ensemble comprises a sturdy multi-storey defensive tower attached to a machubi, the traditional two-storey dwelling typical of the region where families once lived and sheltered during winter and times of conflict.

The machubi of the Oniani complex exemplifies local building traditions, with a ground floor that historically served as a communal living space and animal shelter, and a residential upper floor connected by a wooden staircase to the adjacent tower. Above it rises the slate-built defensive tower with multiple levels and narrow embrasures that provided strategic protection for the family during unrest, reflecting a broader Caucasus tradition of combining everyday life with defensive readiness. 

Together, the Oniani Tower and Machubi not only highlight the architectural ingenuity of Svan builders but also embody centuries-old social and cultural practices that shaped community resilience in Georgia’s mountain landscapes.