Old Omalo, or Keselo fortress, was built in the 18th century. The population of Omalo was once clustered around this fortress; later the village gradually moved down to the plain of present-day (new) Omalo. According to popular tradition, in the times of Shamil and the Lezgin raids the villagers took refuge in this fortress and fought from it. Omalo lies between the Greater Caucasus and Pirikita ranges and, for lack of roads, is cut off from the rest of Georgia for half the year. According to the 2002 census, 1,221 people lived in the village.