Sighnaghi

Among the majestic mountains, surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Alazani Valley, lies the amazing city of Sighnaghi. And this is not an exaggeration – paved clean streets, cute tiled roofs, magnificent urban design have turned the village into a small European town. When you get here, you get the impression that you are in an Italian or Swiss town, where life slows down and people enjoy even the little things. Sighnaghi is a real tourist star of Kakheti, which is worth your attention and time!

 

The Mysterious History of Sighnaghi (Kakheti)

The “fate” of this pearl of Georgia is as unusual as its “life”. Lost among the majestic ridges, the city appeared on the very top of the mountain. It seems to hang over the entire Alazani Valley, leaving no chance to conquer it. There is information that the settlement was founded by King Irakli in the 17th century.

It was built by Armenian workers. However, excavations date the emergence of the ancient settlement back to the 5th century. Surprisingly, Sighnaghi has never been subjected to raids, has not experienced bloody wars, like other cities of Georgia. It’s all about its location – it is on a hill, and approaching it is problematic, from the top you can see the surroundings perfectly. This city is amazing in that it has preserved the spirit of antiquity and at the same time has become an example of a modern city that is perfectly adapted to comfortable living.

A new milestone in its history began in 2005. And this is the merit of the former President of Georgia M. Saakashvili. He initiated a large-scale reconstruction, turning the town into a magnificent tourist center. Many engineers and designers worked on the appearance of Sighnaghi. The result exceeded all expectations – a city was born that is not inferior in comfort and beauty to European settlements.

Original installations in the form of monuments, narrow streets paved with stone, bright red roof tiles, original facades of 2 and 3-story houses. Cozy cafes and restaurants are conducive to long gatherings, when you can forget about everything, sipping excellent Kakhetian wine. Well, the main “jewel” of the city remains the truly fabulous landscapes of the picturesque Alazani Valley.

On the Internet, you can often find a variant of the spelling of the city’s name – Sighnaghi. In terms of pronunciation, Sighnaghi is closer to the original sound. Yandex considers both options correct. And Google corrects: if you type “Sighnaghi, Georgia” into the search, it will correct it to “Sighnaghi, Georgia”.

 

Sights of Sighnaghi

Fortress wall

This small town has a well-preserved ancient heritage – a fortress wall about 5 km long. The massive fortification follows the terrain, smoothly enveloping the city along the perimeter and rising on the mountains. The peculiarity is that the stonework is perfectly preserved, the observation fortresses look excellent.

The structure of the wall – 28 towers with loopholes and 5 entrances along the perimeter.

Thanks to the steps inside, you can climb to the very top of the tower and admire the Alazani Valley. It is difficult to convey what views open up – dozens of small villages, houses under multi-colored roofs and interesting relief are scattered in the embrace of lush greenery. Here, forests give way to steppe, turn into plains and “grow” into mountains. If the weather is cloudless, you will see the snow-capped Caucasus Range.

A walk along the Sighnaghi wall will be fascinating and pleasant, it is absolutely safe, a special wooden path has been made. To get to the fortification, you need to go down Gorgosali Street from 9 April Square to the large gate. The walk will take about 20 minutes. From here, the ascent to the wall begins. The wall is very massive and picturesque, but it is difficult to see it completely because of its scale. On Chavchavadze Street, a large section with towers and arches is immediately visible. Visiting is free.

Civil Registry Office Sighnaghi

An amazing place with many surprises. Sighnaghi used to be the second city in the world after the famous Las Vegas, where you could get married at any time of the day! Alas, this is no longer the case. But the building is very decent, there is an excellent interior and a romantic atmosphere.

The registry office is located in the very center of the city on Kostava Street, 10. Tel: (+99532) 240-54-05. The cost of the ceremony should be clarified. You can take care of translating the documents into Georgian in advance so that nothing mars your wedding (the registry office provides this service).

Church of St. George

This is the “soul” and a unique symbol of the settlement, which stands out against the backdrop of the Alazani Valley. The Church of St. George is the largest religious building.

It is a large basilica made of light brick, almost directly adjacent to the Sighnaghi wall. One of the tops of the defensive structure was rebuilt into a high bell tower. It is not known exactly when this temple was built, presumably in the middle of the 18th century.

The church is still active today, with a reserved interior. Its façade is what attracts attention – it is made of cameos of different sizes, the roof is covered with reddish tiles. The temple is located on Gorgosali Street – this street begins here.

 

Church of St. Stephen

This small church is located on Chavchavadze Street, literally 50 meters from the Sighnaghi Hotel. It is definitely worth visiting this building because it is unusual. It was built right inside the tower, turning it into a kind of impregnable chapel with a high bell tower.

There is also an excellent opportunity to get to the top of the tower, where an observation deck has been built. It is recognized as the highest point in the city, so there is much to admire.

There is little information about the year of the church’s foundation, presumably it was built at the same time as the wall (18th century). There are several icons inside the church, it is active, and visiting is free.

Sighnaghi Museum of Local History

If you travel to this amazing city, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the best local history museums in Georgia. It is among the top five most promising, has an excellent interior design and a rich collection of exhibits. This is one of the city’s bright attractions, located in its center.

The exhibition complex is an example of a “new format” of museums. No dusty shelves and dull halls! A large-scale reconstruction took place in 2010, after which the local history museum acquired a new look. It was here that exhibits from small museums were moved, replenishing the already rich heritage fund of Georgia.

Today the museum has 2 floors. On the first floor there is an archaeological hall, where unique ceramics from different centuries (in very good condition) are collected. Bronze daggers, swords, large knives with curved handles, decorated with carvings are presented. All exhibits are well designed and signed.

There are many information stands in the museum. On the second floor there is an exhibition of paintings. It is divided into two large halls with exhibits of L. Gudiashvili and N. Pirosmani (a famous artist who conquered admirers with his unique worldview). It is here that magnificent canvases of Pirosmani are collected, which are not found in any other collection of Georgian museums. The ticket price is 5 lari ($1.85). The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm. It is located on David the Builder Square in the city center.

City Sighnaghi love – central streets

This surprisingly cozy city is specially created for leisurely sightseeing tours. Stunning landscapes open up from almost any point, and small cafes tempt you to relax and drink the famous Georgian wine. It is not difficult to navigate the city, although the streets are winding. The city itself is located on a hill, and its streets can rather be called separate ridges that are “embraced” by the settlement.

The central part of the city is a park area named after April 9. It is surrounded by two squares – Solomon Dodashvili (Georgian philosopher) and David the Builder (there is a monument to him in the park). Literally 10-15 meters away, the names of the heroes who died during World War II are carved on the rock.

The Kabadoni Hotel is located on Solomon Square. Nearby there is a separate park area called British Park.

Chavchavadze Street starts from the square, runs parallel to the defensive wall and the Church of Stefan, and ends at a large gate. Right behind them you will see a picturesque park area. Ketevan Tsamebuli Avenue is also crowned with a gate.

A huge City Hall was built on David Square, and the local history museum is 100m away.

Baratashvili street

This is the most winding route, but it only benefits from this. Very beautiful views of the city open up, and you can take great photos. It starts from Irakli Square and goes down to the police building and up to the Populi supermarket. If you move up all the time, you get to the “front” entrance to the city. It is called the Tbilisi entrance (it goes out onto the highway of the same name).

Queen Tamara Street

It starts near the tower with the entrance to the wall (where Gorgosali ends), but runs parallel to the Tsnori road, encircling another ridge. This street offers an excellent view of the northern part of the Alan Valley.

Gorgosali Street

It can safely be called a ridge, because it has a steep relief. The temple building of St. George is located on it. Gorgosali descends from the mountain and behind the gates of the fortress turns into Tsnori Street. Near these gates you will see an ascent to the wall.

Sighnaghi Streets:

 

Sighnaghi squares

Once in the center, you will be surrounded by two squares. They are located two minutes walk from each other. From here you can get to the most picturesque and main streets of Sighnaghi – Lalashvili and Kostava.

You need to move down one of the “arteries” and you will come out to the square of King Irakli. Before your eyes you will see a picturesque fountain, a huge casino. It is here that the registry office is located, where you can sign at any time of the day.

Information center

At 10 Kostava Street, in the same building as the Civil Registry Office, there is an excellent tourist information center. Maps are always available, you can get any information, check the traffic, etc. If you need to call urgently, you can easily arrange with the managers. The center is open from 10 am to 6 pm, in summer until 7 pm. Tel: (+995 355) 23 24 14.

Wine shops

And, of course, the city of love will surprise tourists with a variety of “Divine” drinks. The famous shop “Pheasant’s Tears” is located on Baratashvili Street. It was once founded by a businessman from America, who made wine according to ancient Kakhetian recipes. The result of painstaking work is an amazing wine, striking in its rich bouquet and fullness of composition. The drinks produced here are in no way inferior in quality and blend to famous European brands. The winery invites guests to a cozy restaurant and wine tasting. The price for a bottle of wine varies depending on the variety, starting from 15 lari.

Another place that should not be missed is the winery founded by D. Okruashvili, also called Okros Wine. This establishment will delight you with excellent wines that are made from environmentally friendly raw materials. Saperavi, Mtsvane, Rkatsiteli, Kindzmarauli – the choice of wines is simply huge, and the taste will be remembered forever.

This winery is recognized as one of the most promising in Kakheti. Do not forget to buy a bottle as a souvenir – the price starts from 15 lari.

The establishment is located on Chavchavadze Street. If you move from the Sighnaghi Hotel (central squares), halfway to the Stefan Church, you will meet this establishment. The journey takes about 10 minutes.

 

What to see near Sighnaghi

Bodbe Monastery

A unique place that is definitely worth visiting. It is located just 2 km from Sighnaghi. This is a whole complex that looks great and attracts attention with its cleanliness and comfort. The infrastructure is surprising, which is not typical for churches. There is a parking lot at the entrance, and even a small cafe where you can have a tasty snack. What is there:

• The Church of St. George is a three-aisled classical basilica built in the 9th century. It is built of brick and is very beautiful inside. There are magnificent frescoes on the vaults, bright colors are perfectly preserved, and there is a rich iconostasis. The interior decoration can safely be called impressive and a little modern – many “golden” frames, elegant candlesticks and a carved altar.
• The grave of Saint Nino – the burial is located directly in the temple, to the right of the altar. You can approach the tomb, there are no restrictions, however, photography is prohibited.
• Holy spring of Nino. If you go around the temple, you will get to the observation deck, from there the descent to the spring begins (stone stairs), we move to the east. The distance to the destination is about 2-3 km (the journey takes about 20-30 minutes). The holy spring itself is a small pool with very cold water (in summer up to +5- +7C). But this water is truly healing – many people from all over Georgia and other countries come for this “treasure”. It is believed that it gives health, helps childless couples get rid of infertility, cures skin diseases. Above the spring itself there is a small brick temple in honor of Nino’s parents – Saints Sosana and Zabulon. Under its walls is located the font, which can be entered through an arch covered with fabric. The queue of visitors is small, women and men are let in alternately.

When planning to visit the spring, it is worth taking clothes for diving or you can buy it directly near the font.

If you are driving, take the S177 highway, 200-250 meters before the parking lot in front of the monastery, and go down the road sharply. There are always taxi drivers on the way down who will take you to the spring.

Visiting the monastery is free, tourists are accepted from 6 (sometimes from 7) to 19 o’clock, the gates are closed at night.

How to get there from Sighnaghi? You can take a pleasant walk (only 2 km). We go out onto the Tbilisi highway along Baratashvili Street, reach the turn (there is a sign for the monastery) to the left and get to the temple. The walk with picturesque views of the city and the valley will take about 30 minutes.

House Museum of the artist Niko Pirosmani

Just 16 km from Sighnaghi, in the village of Mirzaani, there is a museum of the famous painter. Here you can admire the artist’s canvases and see the house that he built himself. The places here are very beautiful and quiet, there is a ringing silence, broken only by the singing of birds.

The museum occupies an impressive area on the very outskirts of the village. The first object is the exhibition hall. This is a large room divided into two sections. Little-known paintings by Pirosmani are presented here, there are about 15 of them. This is one of three museums in Georgia where you can see the original works of the great master. The portraits of Queen Tamara and Shota Rustavi attract attention.

There is a good viewing platform nearby, you can admire the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus Mountains. The platform is easy to find – a large tree grows alone on it.

The second object is a one-story house, built at the end of the 19th century, with a large terrace and a cellar. Niko himself built the house. According to one version, for his sister, according to another – for his mother.

The house is very modestly decorated. There is only one room inside. The cellar still contains wine kvevri. Unfortunately, many of the original items have been lost.

Nearby is an original installation in the form of monuments. Pirosmani is sitting on a mountain deer and a bust of the artist is dug into the ground.

The entire exhibition complex welcomes guests from 10:00 to 17:00 every day. The ticket price is 5 GEL, for schoolchildren – 1 GEL. You can also hire a professional guide here. You can get there by taxi, the journey takes about 15 – 25 minutes.

 

Reference information

Weather in Sighnaghi

When planning a trip, it is worth remembering that in the off-season, the Alazani Valley receives heavy rainfall. But from June to August, comfortable temperatures (up to 30C) are established and there is practically no rain. The proximity of the mountains and the large difference in altitude give the city another amazing sight – milky fogs.

You can allocate 1 day to visit the city, and if you plan to see the surrounding area – 2. But be sure to stay in Sighnaghi in the evening. The city is completely transformed, justifying its title of “city of love”. Numerous lanterns light up, the streets are empty (it is absolutely safe to walk!), the flowers smell wonderful – real romance. And, of course, in the rays of the setting sun, the Alazani Valley looks magnificent, enchanting and captivating with its endless horizons.

Hotels in Sighnaghi

As befits a tourist place, there is a large selection of hotels and guest houses. The easiest way is to follow the link to booking and choose the right one based on your parameters and reviews: Booking.com

I stayed in only two hotels. Since I don’t visit these parts often.
I liked the Boutique Hotel BelleVue the most. Excellent service, stunning view! In the hot Kakhetian summer it is great to lie by the pool with a view of the snowy peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. Inexpensive and close to the center.

How to get to Sighnaghi from Tbilisi

The distance from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi is 110 km. Minibuses to the city of love depart from the capital’s bus station (near the Samgori metro station). Starting at 7:00, transport runs every two hours until 18:00. The journey takes about 2 hours, the ticket costs 10-15 lari. The minibus will take you to the parking lot near the Populi supermarket (Baratashvili Street).

There is no direct bus from Batumi. You can get there by train to Tbilisi (the journey takes about 5.5 hours), and then by minibus to Sighnaghi.

Excursion to Sighnaghi from Tbilisi

There is no point in taking a tour only to Sighnaghi. As a rule, a visit to the city and Bodbe is included in the routes of most excursions to Kakheti. But the Pirosmani House Museum is rarely found in programs. It is definitely included in the most budget option – Group excursion to Kakheti.

From the individual excursions I really liked the Magic of Kakheti from Dan. You can also visit all the attractions described in the article and much more. And all this with great humor, wine tasting and live Georgian songs.

Sighnaghi is an amazing kaleidoscope of emotions that allows you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of superb nature, ancient architectural monuments and complete relaxation. Little Europe awaits its guests!