Tbilisi: Chronicle of Georgia, Bodbe & Sighnaghi Tour

Discover the Chronicle of Georgia monument, visit the Monastery of St. Nino in Bodbe, and explore the charming town of Sighnaghi on a guided tour from Tbilisi.
Begin your tour with a visit to the "Chronicle of Georgia," a monumental stone and bronze structure on the outskirts of Tbilisi. Created by sculptor Zurab Tsereteli in 1985, this colossal monument is divided into two parts: the lower part dedicated to the history of Christianity and the upper part to the history of Georgia. Among the scenes depicted is the arrival of Saint Nino in Georgia (formerly known as Iberia).

Next, head to the Monastery of St. Nino in Bodbe, a Georgian Orthodox monastic complex dating back to the 4th-9th centuries. Significantly rebuilt in the 17th century, the monastery is now a convent and one of Georgia's main pilgrimage sites due to its connection with St. Nino, a 4th-century Georgian evangelist whose relics are kept here.

Nestled in the mountains, the monastery offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and the Alazani Valley. Beyond the observation deck, a trail leads down to a healing spring (3 km), accessible by descending 643 hand-carved steps. The water from the St. Nino spring is believed to have healing properties, and immersion in it cleanses the soul of sins.

Continue to Sighnaghi, a town whose name means "shelter" or "trench" in Turkic. The first mention of the settlement of Sighnaghi dates back to the early 18th century. In 1762, the Georgian King Erekle II sponsored the construction of the city and erected a fortress to protect the territory from raids by Dagestani tribes.

Sighnaghi lives up to its romantic nickname, the city of love, thanks to its many winding streets, beautiful houses with wooden balconies, and fortified walls. The Sighnaghi city walls were built in the mid-18th century under the patronage of King Erekle II, ruler of the Kingdom of Kakheti. The fortified walls were designed to protect merchants and townspeople, who could seek refuge in the safety of the citadel during a siege. Stretching for 4.5 kilometers, the city walls include 23 watchtowers and half a dozen arched city gates, each named after a nearby settlement.

Finally, visit the Alazani Valley, a vast intermountain region located between the Greater Caucasus and the Gombori Range in eastern Georgia. It is filled with fertile lands, forests, and extensive vineyards. It is one of Georgia's most famous wine regions, home to the Rkatsiteli and Saperavi grape varieties. Legendary wines such as Kindzmarauli, Mukusani, and others are produced here. The valley's terroir is called "Little Tuscany" for its aesthetics and traditions.

Om de beschikbaarheid te garanderen, dient u zo snel mogelijk te reserveren. Vroegboekkorting is het overwegen waard, vooral als u de reis plant tijdens het hoogseizoen, zoals op feestdagen of in het weekend.

Deze excursie kunt u kosteloos annuleren tot: annuleringstijd voor aanvang van de reis. Bij annulering na: annulering na: annuleringstijd of niet aanwezig zijn op de excursie wordt de volledige prijs van de activiteit alsnog in rekening gebracht. Te laat komen bij het ophalen of vertrekken wordt beschouwd als niet komen opdagen.