Kakheti

Kakheti is one of the most famous regions of Georgia , well known for its wine production, old castles, churches, monasteries and ancient historical sites. Most of Kakhetian sightseeing’s are only a few hours drive from Tbilisi, which makes them very easy to reach. Kakheti was one of the centers of (the) Eastern Georgia. Lots of Georgian traditions have their roots and still flourish here.

Sighnakhi

Sighnakhi and Alazani Valley

Sighnakhi city sign

Sighnakhi and Alazani Valley

Main square in Sighnakhi

Alazani Valley

Old city walls of Sighnakhi

Sighnakhi and Alazani Valley

Monastery of the Saint Nino

Sighnaghi is a small town founded in XVII century by the king Irakli on the site of the ancient city Khornabugy, which was destroyed by the Mongol invasion in 1264. The city is placed just above the Alazani valley and has a three-kilometer-long ancient wall around it. As you walk along the wall you can enjoy the great view on the Alazani Valley – the most wine-producing in Georgia. Sighnaghi got small but very well renovated and organized historical museum. In the ethnographic and archaeological exhibitions you can find some details about everyday life of the region from ancient to the medieval periods. The museum also usually has some temporary exhibitions. For example this summer it was “Portraits of Kakhetian Nobles From the beginning of Georgian Easel Painting to 20th Century”. And of course the main feature of the museum is a collection of Niko Pirosmani works - one of the best known Georgian painter , who grew up in Kakheti. Originals of his works are scattered between plenty of museums and collections. The Sighnaghi museum gives you an opportunity to see a large number of them in one place. We also can visit Mirzaani, where the home-museum of Niko Pirosmani is located. Sighnaghi also has some old churches - the Saint George and the Saint Stephan. Just two kilometers from Sighnaghi is the monastery of Saint Nino, who brought Christianity to Georgia in the IV century. Close to Sighnaghi we can visit Tibaani, where stands the Stephan Khirseli Church built in the VI century and Ozaani, with another temple build in the X century.

David Garega

Georgian Asomtavruli inscriptions at the entrance of S. David's lavra

A part of the complex on the territory of Aghstafa Rayon on Azerbaijan

One of the monastery's surviving frescoes

David Gareja monastery and caves. by Wojciech Bijok. under CCBY

David Gareja monastery complex. by Paata Vardanashvili. under CCBY

Georgian Asomtavruli inscriptions at the entrance of S. David's lavra. by Paata Vardanashvili. under CCBY

A part of the complex on the territory of Aghstafa Rayon on Azerbaijan. by Wojciech Bijok. under CCBY

One of the monastery's surviving frescoes. by Paata Vardanashvili. under CCBY

David Gareja monastery complex. by Lidia Ilona. under CCBY

David Garega is a ancient monastery complex sitting exactly on the border with Azerbaijan. The history of that unique place build in the rocks of the Garega desert is a good illustration of the early history of Christianity in Georgia. The monastery complex was founded by the so-called “Assyrian fathers” – a group of christian monks and religious activists, who came to Iberia in the VI century from Assyria. Saint David first came together with Ioann to Zedazeni mountain. Then, they split up and went to different parts of Georgia. David choose Tbilisi and settled on the Mtatsminda mountain close to the city - you can still see his cave and church there. After a while he encountered more and more conflicts with adepts of Zoroastrianism in the city and had to leave. He decided demonstrate the highest level of asceticism and moved to the remote Garegi desert - the hardest place to live he could find. The monastery he founded became a huge religious center and still functions.

Nekresi

view on Alazani Valley and the ruins of the anciens Zoroastrianists temple

Ancient wine cellar in the Nekresi monastery complex

Nekresi complex and Alazani Valley

view on Alazani Valley

view on Alazani Valley and the ruins of the anciens Zoroastrianists temple

view on Alazani Valley

Ancient wine cellar in the Nekresi monastery complex

view on Alazani Valley

Nekresi is another Kakhetian monastery complex. It is build on the mountain above the Alazani Valley on its Eastern side. There were not much buildings there and the ones that were build mostly got destroyed due to the Lezgin invasions. Nowadays all that remains from that time is a monastery complex on the mountain, but earlier there was a whole ancient city in the Valley. This Christian monastery was founded in the VI century by another “Assyrian Father” Abo (sometimes called Abib or Abibos) of Nekresi. Back then the region was under Persian occupation and the monasteries faced some difficulties. Abo for example had conflicts with Zoroastrianists, was arrested by the Persians and executed in Mtskheta. From Nekresi you can enjoy one of the best views on the Alazani Valley from the eastern side of it.

Alaverdi

Alaverdi monastery complex. by Paata Vardanashvili. under CCBY

Another monastery complex, paired with the Saint George cathedral, founded by the “Assyrian fathers” in the VI century. The cathedral was build in the XI century by the Kakhetian king Khviriti III the Great. This cathedral is the second biggest one in Georgia from the middle age and the highest one among the four “Great Cathedrals”. The name comes from “Alva-Khvardi” and means the Alvanian plain.