 Sighnaghi, in the background the Alazan Valley and the peaks of the Caucasus | ||
| სიღნაღი, Sighnaghi | ||
| Region (Mchare) | Kakheti | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 1.485 (2014) | |
| height | 836 m | |
| Tourist info | 995 355 232414 http://www.sighnaghi.org.ge | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Sighnaghi (georg. სიღნაღი, also Signagi; the "gh" is pronounced like a French, rolling R) is next to Telavi the main tourist center in Kakheti. The main attraction is the beautifully renovated and traffic-calmed old town with an important museum and the historical fortifications. The monastery is located two kilometers west of the city Bodbe.
From the west there are numerous viewpoints, from which you can get a kitschy postcard view of the city as well as the Alasanital and the snow-covered peaks of the Hoher behind Caucasus Has.
background
getting there
By plane
There is a small sports airport near Znori.
By train
By bus
- Marshrutkas (minibuses) leave every hour Tbilisi from Isani bus station (10 lari, approx. 2 hours). Also from Telavi there are regular bus connections.
- The minibuses stop in Sighnaghi to the west, below the center, at a small roundabout.
In the street
From Tbilisi follow the Kakheti trunk road ს 5 for approx. 100 km to Tschalaubani, then turn right onto the regional road შ 40 and drive another 25 km. Sighnaghi is well signposted. In the city center of Sighnaghi, the შ 40 continues northeast to Anaga (further than ს 5 to Bakursziche, connection to the შ 42 to Telavi) or as შ 175 to the east Znori (Connection to the ს 5 according to Lagodechi and the შ 39 after Dedopliszkaro).
mobility
The small town is best explored on foot, the center is traffic-calmed and partly a pedestrian zone. You can also walk to Bodbe (approx. 2 km, 25 minutes).
Tourist Attractions
- City center
- Fortification walls
- museum
- Viewpoints
Surroundings:
Bodbe
The Bodbe Monastery (georg. ბოდბის წმინდა გიორგის მონასტერი, bodbis ts'minda giorgis monasteri), is located about a kilometer southeast of the city center, according to legend, Saint Nino is buried there. Below the monastery is the source of Saint Nino, which supposedly it promises eternal youth to bathers. It can be reached on foot via a 1 km long, steep forest path from Bodbe or via an access road from Znori.
activities
- Walk on the ramparts
- Wine tastings, e.g. at Johnny, an American who produces Pheasant's Tears wines in Sighnaghi and also has a small museum in his house.
- Getting married: Sighnaghi is considered a wedding city in Georgia, the registry office is partially open around the clock. Even foreign couples can get married here without any problems, all you need is a passport, to be on the safe side, a notarized translation (available in every notary's office for approx. 15 Lari) is recommended.
shop
- Wine at Johnny and other wineries
- Souvenirs in the museum
- There is also a carpet factory
kitchen
There are numerous good restaurants in and around Sighnaghi that cater to larger groups. It is advisable to book in advance for groups. Coffee houses can also be found.
nightlife
Since Sighnaghi is very popular as a city for weddings, there are always large and small celebrations. The restaurants specialize in handling larger banquets.
accommodation
In Sighnaghi there are numerous hotels and guest houses in the price categories cheap to upper middle class.
security
- Crime is practically unknown in Sighnaghi
- When walking on the city walls: danger of falling
- Also watch out for the wild dogs that protect private property. They are chained up and behind fences, but they make an eerie racket.
health
- Nearest hospitals: Gurjaani, Telavi, Sagaredscho and Tbilisi.
Practical advice
- Tourist Information, Kostava St. 10. Tel.: 995 355 232414, Email: [email protected]. Open: Mon - Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Postal code: 4200
trips
- Alasanital
literature
Web links
- http://www.signagi.com.ge/ - Sighnaghi official website
