Visit the Sandro Shanshiashvili House Museum in Dzhugaani - a free memorial museum of the Georgian poet and playwright ✨

🎭 Immerse yourself in the world of Georgian poetry and theatre at the Sandro Shanshiashvili House-Museum!

Here, in the quiet village of Dzhugaani, is preserved the soul of the great poet and playwright, whose works inspired generations. This museum is not just a collection of things, but a living story about creativity, life and an era filled with passion and sincerity. Come and find out how one of the most prominent representatives of Georgian culture lived and worked.

📚 What you will learn from this article:

• 🏠 History of the museum and biography of Sandro Shanshiashvili.
• 👀 Main exhibits and unique collections
• 🎼 Shanshiashvili's role in Georgian literature and theater.
• 🕰️ Practical information: how to get there, when to visit, ticket prices.
• 🎓 Educational programs and exhibitions of the museum.
• Tips for tourists and features of visiting

🏛 How the museum was born: the path from home to a cultural center

Once upon a time, this was an ordinary rural house in Dzhugaani. Today, it is a living memory of the great author. In 1986, the building where Sandro Shanshiashvili lived and worked was turned into a memorial museum to preserve the atmosphere of the era in which he lived.

This is not just an exhibition space - it is a place where history comes to life. Here, the everyday life of the 20th century intelligentsia is recreated in detail. Everything is imbued with the spirit of literature: from the bookshelves to the writer's desk.

📍 Location: Jughaani, Sighnaghi Municipality
📅 Year of foundation: 1986
📝 Curator: Sighnaghi Municipality Arts and Education Center

👓 What you can see: things that speak without words

Every detail here is a fragment of fate. The exhibition is small, but surprisingly informative:

• 🎹 Paliashvili's piano is a symbol of friendship between two great Georgian figures
• 🪑 Antique furniture is a personal interior element
• 📜 Manuscripts of plays and drafts are first-hand dramaturgy
• 📚 Family library is a collection of books that inspired the poet
• 📸 Rare photos and documents are traces of a difficult life in a turning point

There is no museum coldness here - only living memories. The atmosphere seems to invite you to sit down at your desk and start writing.

🎭 Legacy in words and scenes: Shanshiashvili as the voice of his era

Sandro Shanshiashvili is one of those who shaped the literary face of Georgia in the 20th century. His plays are a chronicle of time, where simple stories become philosophy. He wrote about love, justice, human feelings - and did it with amazing precision.

📖 Author of such works as "Evening Light", "Friends", "Ivane Meskhi"
🎭 His texts were staged by the best theaters of Tbilisi, and not only
🎓 He raised a new generation of playwrights, inspiring dozens of students

Even after decades, his voice remains recognizable: sincere, deep and relevant..

🎓 Educational programs and exhibitions

🖼️ The permanent exhibition in the Sandro Shanshiashvili House Museum occupies 112 m² and opens up the poet's personal world to visitors - from antique furniture and pianos to rare manuscripts that cannot be found in the public domain. Each exhibit here is like a page from the past, allowing you to look into the everyday life of an outstanding cultural figure.

📆 Periodic exhibitions are held on a temporary basis and are timed to coincide with memorable dates, anniversaries or cultural events. This is a great chance to see rare materials that are not included in the main exhibition.

🚸 The educational initiative "Open Doors Day" is aimed at schoolchildren, students and anyone interested in history and literature. The project includes interactive excursions, master classes and thematic lectures. Participants will learn not only about Shanshiashvili's work, but also about the cultural context of his time.

📚 Such programs help develop interest in Georgian literature among young people, make history alive and tangible. This is not just a visit - it is an immersion into an era where every object comes to life and begins to tell its own story.

🚗 How to get there

The Sandro Shanshiashvili House Museum is located in the village of Dzhugaani, not far from Sighnaghi. Here are the main ways to get to the museum:

• 🚌 Public transport: There are regular minibuses from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi from Samgori bus station. Then you can take a taxi or walk to the village of Dzhugaani (about 3 km).
• 🚖 Taxi: From Tbilisi you can go directly for ~80–100₾ (≈30€). From Sighnaghi - for 10–15₾.
• 🚗 Own transport: The trip from Tbilisi takes about 2 hours. The road via Telavi or Sagarejo is picturesque, but it is recommended to check the navigation in advance.
• 📲 Tip: download the map to your smartphone in advance, as the signal may be weak in some places.

🍽 Where to eat nearby

There are no cafes or restaurants in the village of Dzhugaani itself. Therefore, it is better to have a snack in advance in Sighnaghi 🏘 - this is the nearest city, where there is a choice of cozy cafes, wine bars and restaurants with traditional Kakhetian cuisine. We recommend trying:

• 🥩 mtsvadi (Georgian shashlik)
• 🫓shoti — tandoor bread
• 🧀 suluguni with herbs
• 🍷 and, of course, local wine

Если планируете остаться на весь день — возьмите с собой воду 💧 и лёгкий перекус 🍎, особенно если путешествуете с детьми.

🛏 Where to stay nearby

The best choice is to spend the night in Sighnaghi 🏡, which is about 10 km from Jughaani. There you will find:

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Guest houses with a homely atmosphere
• 🏨 Hotels with a view of the Alazani Valley
• 💰 Budget hostels and apartments
  

Book accommodation in advance during high season - there are many tourists here in spring and autumn. If you are traveling by car 🚙 - check the availability of parking.

You can also stop in Telavi if you plan to continue your journey through Kakheti.

🗣️ The floor is yours

Every museum is not just a building with exhibits, but a living voice of the past that speaks to us through the centuries. The Sandro Shanshiashvili Memorial House is just such a place. Here you can hear the echo of Georgian poetry, feel the breath of history and the homely warmth of the great playwright.

If you have already been to the museum or are just planning a visit, tell us about your impressions. What moments touched you the most? What would you like to improve? Your feedback helps us make the information more accurate and useful for other travelers. Share your opinion in the comments, and if you notice an inaccuracy,write to us ✉️