Sighnaghi

History of Signagi

In the mid-18th century Kakheti was ravaged by raids from Dagestan. In 1762 King Erekle II built a fortress on the hill, behind whose walls the people of nearby villages could take shelter — and so the town appeared. Its name means “refuge”.

Signagi became a trading town on the route through the Alazani Valley. In the 19th century houses with carved wooden balconies were built here, and they still define the look of the streets today.

What to see

• Fortress wall — you can walk along the top of part of the wall and climb into the towers; the view of the valley is the best in town.
• Bodbe Monastery — 2 km away, the grave of Saint Nino; from the monastery a staircase leads down to a spring.
• Signagi Museum — archaeology of Kakheti and paintings by Niko Pirosmani, who was born in the neighbouring village of Mirzaani.
• Old streets with balconies, the square and viewpoints over the valley.

How to get there

• By car: about 2 hours from Tbilisi along the highway via Sagarejo.
• By minibus: several departures a day from Samgori bus station.
• On a tour: it is easiest to combine Signagi, Bodbe and a winery in one day — more in the article about Signagi.

Tips

• Come in the morning: later a haze rises over the valley and the mountains are harder to see.
• The streets are steep and cobbled — you need comfortable shoes.
• Modest clothing is required at Bodbe: a headscarf and skirt for women, trousers for men.
• Stay for dinner — Signagi has many restaurants with Kakhetian wine and sunset views.