Kakheti (Georgian: კახეთი) is a region in eastern Georgia, bordering Russia to the north and Azerbaijan to the east and south. It consists of plains (the Alazani and Iori valleys) and mountains (the Caucasus in the north and the Tsiv-Gombori mountain range in its centre). Kakheti is the main wine growing region in Georgia. It also has plenty of history and has a number of monasteries, castle and medieval towns.
The Alaverdi cathedral lies 20km from Telavi, the regional capital. It's an 11th century cathedral built by King Kvirike of Kakheti. The cathedral is in a compound surrounded by walls. The Gremi fortress is located on a small hill next to the Gremi village and contains a large cathedral, built in 1565 by king Levan.
The Monastery of St. Nino at Bodbe is located near Sighnaghi. Originally built in the 9th century, it was significantly modified and expanded over the centuries. The nearby city of Sighnaghi ("city of love") is a major tourist centre in Kakheti. Sighnaghi was founded in the 18th century by king Heraclius II of Georgia and is surrounded by a 4km long wall. The picturesque centre is small enough to be explored by foot.
In the south of Kakheti, along the border to Azerbaijan lies the David Gareja monastic complex. This was originally founded in the 6th century by St David Garejeli, one of the thirteen Assyrian monks who arrived to Georgia at that time. Nowadays it consists of a number of churches and living quarters carved in the rocks, all spread over a large area.
How to get to Kakheti
In principle it is possible to visit Kakheti as a daytrip from Tbilisi, although it is better to plan a few days in the region in order to have enough time to visit its highlights. It's best to have an own transportation.
Accommodation
Since Kakheti is a primary tourist region in Georgia, there are many Accommodation options in the region.
Bodbe monastery photo gallery  - 19 pictures of Bodbe monastery
David Gareja monastery photo gallery  - 16 pictures of David Gareja monastery
Sighnaghi photo gallery  - 29 pictures of Sighnaghi
19 photos of the Bodbe monastery near Sighnaghi, a pilgrimage site in Georgia
16 photos of David Gareja, a Georgian monastery complex carved into the rock
29 photos of the picturesque city of Sighnaghi in Kakheti
Napareuli winery photo gallery  - 12 pictures of Napareuli winery
Miscellaneous images photo gallery  - 27 pictures of Miscellaneous images
12 photos of the Napareuli winery in Kakheti
27 miscellaneous photos of the Kakheti region
Gallery with all images
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©Copyright Alfred Molon