Tourists to Sighnaghi

Sighnaghi (სიღნაღი) is a very small town in eastern Georgia's Kakheti region. The local economy depends greatly on wine production, but Sighnaghi has also undergone a reconstruction program to make it a hub and destination for the growing tourist industry. 


We took a day trip there last weekend, and along the way we detoured to see a crumbling fortress on the hillside we were passing. 

This required driving up through a little town, 

 The Detour

 Along the roadside

and over some bad roads, where we eventually left the car and walked the last few hundred meters.

Before we got to Sighnaghi, 

 Sighnaghi from a distance

we went first to see the  Monastery of St. George at Bodbe (ბოდბის წმინდა გიორგის მონასტერი) where the tomb of St. Nino, who introduced Christianity to Georgia, is located.

 The Pilgrim Refectory (and coffee shop)

 Crowds of Tourists

Here we met up with a group of teachers and staff from the school, and hiked down a very steep hillside to visit St. Nino's spring, and taste the holy water.

 The start of the hike down to the spring

 Pilgrims gathered at the spring

Next, we moved along to Signaghi itself. You can see the money that has been spent to spruce up the town. 

Things are clean and the building facades are in good shape. One of the interesting features is the great wall that surrounds the town and extends out on the hillside over the valley below.

Back in town we had a meal on a nice patio outside of a Georgian restaurant.

On Our Block

Here is a short walk around the neighborhood within a few blocks of our apartment. These are just typical scenes that we see every day.

The entrance to our apartment's elevator lobby. The security guards lurk inside.

Our building is a hodge-podge of funny shapes.

On the ground floor is a market open 24 hours a day.

Across from us is this alley, with our dumpsters on the left.

Looking west, up the tree-lined street.

 Across the street is a new pharmacy, and the Art Boutique, which

 like this shop a few doors down, sells expensive junk that you would never buy.

 Almost next door is the Chinese Embassy, with a guard shack and high walls.

We have several good places to eat within a few blocks. This one has great breads and cakes.

 Or, Prego Italian... it's a lot nicer inside than outside.

 And, the outdoor German restaurant, with the overhead trellises of grapes,

 which serves good Georgian draught beer.

As you walk down the road, it is always interesting to peer into the doors and windows you pass.

 Here is the guy baking bread which he will sell out the window.

 Or, the convenience store at knee-level.

 Cigarettes and gum all over the place (Marlboros are $1.55 per pack).

 Get your hair done at the beauty salon... just leave your beer by the tree before you enter.

 Change your money old style,

 or get it at the modern walk-up terminal.

 The flower vendor is always on this corner.

 You can park on the sidewalk to shop at the meat store.

 Where do you buy your fashions?

And last, three random shots just for a feel of the environment.