On our way to the south-east of Georgia, we came past Signagi, a popular tourist destination, and we also visited the Bodbe monastery. Signagi has the longest city wall in all of Georgia with 28 towers. Today it is possible to walk along a part of the wall, from where we had a great view over the Alanzani valley. Sadly it was a sunny but hazy day, otherwise we would have been able to see the Caucasus mountains around us.
They sell the loveliest felt shoes in this town, it was so hard not to buy some of them, besides of the colourful ones, there were others with mouse faces, just adorable. We urgently need a grandchild, so we can buy things like that for her/him 😉
Bodbe Monasrtery was originally built in the 9th century, but has been significantly remodeled in the 17th century. It is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia, due to its association with St. Nino, the 4th-century female evangelist, whose relics are shrined here. A new church was recently built, which we found very fascinating. A new church built in the traditional style, that is something you don’t see in Central Europe.
Actually we noticed that they were cheating a little by using concrete elements instead of stonemasonry, but still we thought it is a very nice church.
Tomorrow, we will be in Dedoplistsqaro, to organise our visit to the Vashlovani National Park – more on our next post!