19 SEP 2019
The village Tsinandali was a homeland of the family of Chavchavadzes for several centuries. This surname exists in Kakheti from the 18th century. Tsinandali is also famous because of Garsevan Chavchavadze, an ambassador of Georgia to Russia, who was living there. He played a huge role in the relationships between Russia and Georgia. Garsevan Chavchavadze was the one who signed the Treaty of Georgievsk in 1783. After this, King Erekle handed over him a large area of land with a house, and later on, this heritage was given to Alexander Chavchavadze. The garden holds 18 hectares, and it is cultivated around the House Museum. This garden is unique not only because of the exotic plants but also for its wild nature. You will also see an interesting maze there and beautiful views that will make you feel relaxed. The garden of Tsinandali is different from the European parks because of its free planning, which means that it looks more natural and wilder.
Bodbe Convent, where the relics of St. Nino, Equal to the Apostles and enlightener of Georgia lie, is situated in eastern Georgia (Kakheti), two kilometers south of the city of Sighnaghi, in a picturesque place, at the feet of the Great Caucasian Range. The convent has a miraculous view of the Alazani Valley and the snow-capped mountains of Caucasus. The Virgin Mary appeared to St.Nino when the latter was fourteen years old, and announced her important destiny through a divine revelation to her -to preach the True Faith in the Virgin’s chosen holy place of Iberia (Georgia). Blessed to serve as an Apostle, with the sign of God’s will, the Mother of God gave her a cross made of branches of vine, which St. Nino bound with her own hair. (The Cross of St. Nino is currently kept in Tbilisi, in the Sioni Cathedral).
In Georgia, the country which St. Nino converted to Christianity around 327-332 A.D., she completed her mission with a lot of work and prayer. Her prayers cured Queen Nana from a serious disease and made her believe in the True God, and King Mirian himself soon followed her example. Shortly afterwards the entire population was baptized in the waters of the Aragvi River in Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia.
Sighnaghi Royal Town is perhaps Georgia’s single most attractive town, with an amazing position perched on a lofty hilltop facing the snowcapped Caucasus looming in the distance across the vast Alazani valley. Full of 18th- and 19th-century architecture and with a vaguely Tuscan feel, Sighnaghi has seen a comprehensive renovation program in recent years that has seen scores of hotels open as the local population reorients itself towards the tourist dollar. The good news is that despite the tour groups and quad bikes, the town has retained its easy charm and is still a lovely place to spend a couple of days.
