Kakheti - historical monuments of the center of Georgian winemaking

The famous wine factory "Teliani Veli" is also located in Kakheti. The culture of wine preparation comes from families where wine is not just a drink, it is a tradition. Every Georgian family prepares many liters of wine for personal use. The drink is made according to a special "Kakheti" recipe: when the pulp is obtained from grapes, and the bones and twigs are not thrown away anywhere, everything goes to the benefit of the business, or rather, wine. The fermentation process of homemade wine takes place in huge clay jugs in cool cellars.

The beginning of industrial wine production in Georgia was launched by Alexander Chavchavadze in 1886. He is a member of a famous Georgian family, and it was Alexander who laid the wine cellars in his estate. Today Chavchavadze Wine Library open to the public – in the wine library you can find 16,000 copies of wines from the late 19th – 20th centuries. The plant for the production of the drink works to this day, producing varieties of rare wines. Not far from the village of Tsinandali, where the estate is located, is the village of Mirzaani, where the famous Georgian artist Niko Pirosmani was born.

Kakheti is famous not only for wine, it is rich in historical monuments and medieval religious buildings. One of the main shrines of Georgia, Alaverdi, is located here. The cathedral of the first half of the 11th century, which is also called the Church of St. George. It is part of an architectural complex. St. George 's Cathedral is included in the list the largest cathedrals of Georgia. King Kvirike Kakhi built this cathedral on the site of a small church.

Nearby there is a women's Bodbe Monastery. Legend has it that here at the beginning of the 1st century – in 335, the baptist of Georgia, Saint Nino of Cappadocia, died. Tsar Mirian decided to transfer the relics of the saint to Mtskheta. The attempt was unsuccessful, the ark did not budge, so the church of St. George was erected at the burial site, which was eventually destroyed. In 850, a cathedral was erected in its place. Its walls are decorated with paintings of the 9th century, paintings of the 12th and 17th centuries. The doors of the monastery are still open to visitors today. The gorge of Saint Nino is a place of constant pilgrimage to the sacred spring, which has a healing effect.

Nearby is located Gremi Castle – it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The castle was built by Tsar Levan in the second half of the 16th century. Grammy became the capital of Georgia. Unfortunately, the city was destroyed due to a raid by the troops of the Persian Shah Abbas. Only the bell tower and the Domed Temple remain of the ancient city.

If you are going to your first a trip to Georgia, then the Kakheti region is what you need! This is a sea of impressions and sights for every taste, and, of course, a huge amount of delicious wine!

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