Cultural Tour to Kakheti Region and Kazbegi Mountains

The Kakheti region is full of ‘must visit' sites, including the smallest town Sighnaghi, a 16^th century royal citadel, Gremi, Alaverdi Cathedral, Ikalto Monastery Complex, Monastery Complex Shuamta, and more...

The first day we visit Sighnaghi, the smallest city of Georgia. It is a town special for its wine and traditional carpets. The colourful city boasts two churches, St. George and St. Stephen and a modern Sighnaghi Museum with artifacts found as a result of archeological excavations.

The Gremi architectural monument belongs to the 16^th century. The Archangel's Church complex consists of a church, a three-storey castle, a bell-tower and a wine cellar. The walls of the church are furnished with portraits of the kings of Kakheti. In the bell-tower, there is a museum full of archeological artifacts. The complex is encircled by a defensive wall.

After visiting Gremi, we visit Alaverdi Cathedral. It is the second highest cathedral after Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral. It was built by the Assyrian monk Yoseb Amba in the 6^th century. The present day cathedral belongs to the 11^th century. The walls in which the cathedral is enclosed, was used as a shelter during invasions, with tunnels that were hewn in the walls to connect people to the Alazani River and provide them with water. From here you see fantastic views of the Alazani river.

The next stop is the Ikalto Monastery Complex. It was built in the 5^th century. It consists of three churches, the principal one Khvtaeba (8^th - 9^th centuries). In the 12^th century an academy was founded here, where the great Georgian writer Shota Rustaveli studied. The remnants of the academy are still preserved.

The following ‘must visit' site is Shuamta Monastery Complex. It is unique in the sense that the three churches constituted here belong to different periods: 6th, 7th and 8th centuries and contribute to the diversity of the complex.

-The second day we head for Kazbegi via Akhmeta abd Tianeti regions.

Kazbegi, recently known as Stepantsminda, is located in northern Georgia. The main cultural landmark of Stepantsminda is Gergeti Trinity Church, dating back from 14^th century. This modest church makes you wonder how human beings could possibly carry the building materials to such a high area, 2400 meters! Mountain Kazbek stands as a guard at the background of the church. The mountain, called Mqinvartsveri (‘glacier' in Georgian), is the third highest mountain in Georgia, one of the chief mountains of the Caucasus.

Return to Tbilisi