Kakheti

Kakheti is located in the eastern part of Georgia. The climate of the region is largely determined by the relief: there are both steppe plains and mountainous areas.Kakheti is a wine region of Georgia. It is here that the main vineyards of the country and numerous wineries are concentrated. The best time to visit the Alazani Valley is in autumn, when the harvest is in progress.The echoes of the summer heat still linger in cities during the daytime, and the nights are already refreshing with coolness. Cars loaded to the top with grapes create a festive atmosphere and truly convey the spirit of the wine region.But if you are planning a trip at another time of the year, then there are no less interesting places in Kakheti: ancient cathedrals, nature reserves with picturesque views, and wineries are open all year round.

Telavi is a city in the Alazani Valley, the capital of Kakheti.Telavi has been known since the 1st century AD, and was an important trading center on the caravan route from the Middle East to Europe. Telavi is one of the locations of the famous Soviet film "Mimino" by Georgy Danelia. Filming actually took place in Telavi, on the territory of the airport and on the streets of the city and on a high-altitude site in the village of Omalo.

In the XVI-XVII century. Gremi was the capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti with the castle of the same name, which has been preserved to this day. In the 16th century, the Great Silk Road passed through here, which contributed to the growth and development of the city. However, at the beginning of the 17th century. Gremi was destroyed by the troops of the Iranian Shah Abbas I, after which it was never able to recover. In the middle of the 17th century, the capital was moved to Telavi.

Today there is a zoo, a temple and an archaeological museum here. The castle's observation deck offers a beautiful view of the Alazani Valley. 

Not far from Telavi, in the village of Shuamta, fragments of the Dzveli-Shuamta and Akhali Shuamta monasteries have been preserved. 

Dzwelishuamta Monastery is a more ancient monument. It is an ensemble of several ancient churches. The small church in the foreground dates back to the 5th century, while the other two, the large and small domed churches, date back to the 7th century. The large church is very similar to the Mtskheta temple of Jvari. Frescoes from the 12th century have been preserved in the churches.

The Akhali Shuamta Monastery was built later, in the XVI century. This monastery is still in operation. The monastery complex includes a large temple, a bell tower, and a fence.

David Gareji is a complex of 6th-century Georgian cave monasteries located 60 km southeast of Tbilisi, on the Georgian-Azerbaijani border, and stretching for 25 km along the slopes of the semi-desert Gareji range. The state border between Georgia and Azerbaijan divides the David Gareji monastery complex into two parts.

The oldest monastery in the complex, the Lavra of David, was founded in the early sixth century by the Syrian monk David, one of the 13 Syrian fathers, who settled in the natural cave of Gareja. 

Sighnaghi is a small town in eastern Georgia, on a mountainside, in the historical region of Kakheti. The city was founded in the 17th century under King Irakli III.The center of the historical and geographical area of Kizika. It is located on terraces connected by winding steep streets.Sighnaghi resembles a typical Italian town with cobbled streets and freshly painted houses, but at the same time it managed not to lose its uniqueness and "Georgian" character: during evening walks, it seems that you are wandering through an ancient Caucasian city. There is a Wedding House in the city where you can get married at any time of the day. That is why Sighnaghi is called the "City of Lovers".

Two kilometers from Sighnaghi is located

 Bodbe Monastery is one of the most significant shrines in Georgia. This cathedral houses the relics of Saint Nino, thanks to whom Christianity spread throughout the country. This is a very strong and sacred place, thousands of pilgrims from the Orthodox world come here every year.Not far from the church there is a holy spring where you can swim, it has healing power and cures ailments.

The small village of Tsinandali, near Telavi, is famous for its beautiful park and the residence of the Kakheti princes Chavchavadze. Inside, the original interior and some of the family's personal belongings have been preserved. There is also a winery attached to the estate, which is considered the oldest in Georgia. Its cellars contain more than 20 thousand bottles.Great Russian poets Alexander Pushkin and Mikhail Lermontov, the Decembrist poet Alexander Odoevsky and the French writer Alexandre Dumas Sr. came here to stay. Playwright, poet and composer Alexander Griboyedov meets Princess Nina Chavchavadze, his future wife, in Tsinandali.

Kvareli is a small town in the east of Georgia, in the picturesque and full of tart grapes region of Kakheti. Kvareli is the birthplace of the great publicist and "father of the Georgian nation" Ilya Chavchavadze. The second point is the legendary Kindzmarauli and the whole winery, where you can learn all the subtleties of the origin of this "drink of the gods." Also, Kvarelskoe Lake is an amazing place to relax in nature.

Alaverdi (St. George's Cathedral) is an active cathedral of the early 11th century. Today, it is the most revered temple in the region and the second tallest temple in Georgia.The cathedral was repeatedly destroyed by invaders, so it was slightly modified during the restorations. Despite the fact that today we can see Alaverdi not in its original form, wall paintings of the 15th century are still preserved inside the cathedral. Also, many Kakhetian kings are buried on the territory of the monastery.

Ikalto is one of the first Orthodox monasteries of the 6th century in Georgia. Architecturally, it is very similar to other Georgian cathedrals. However, apart from its antiquity and centuries-old history, Ikalo is famous for the academy where the famous poet Shota Rustaveli once studied. In the 17th century, the academy was burned down, and the complex was closed. The church was restored only in the 19th century, but only ruins remained of the academy.

Nekresi is an active monastery of the IV century, towering over the Alazani Valley. Throughout its existence, Nekresi has been repeatedly robbed and captured by Muslims. According to legend, during one of the raids, the servants of the church threw pig heads at the offenders, thereby scaring them away.Although they write on the Internet that the pigs were just released into the yard and the Muslims were scared. In any case, the pig is now considered an unspoken guardian of the cathedral, and pork shish kebab is prepared here for every holiday.