The centre of Sighnaghi with its brick buildings from the 18^th and 19^th century is very charming indeed – and very beautifully renovated. At the same time, however, it appears rather dead to me.

Some parts of the centre seem to be only for tourists. While there are some old men playing backgammon in the park, they are actually the only ones indicating that at least some people actually live there. As it is towards the end of the tourist season, the streets are sometimes earily empty – but the town is very picturesque nonetheless.

One of the best views of the hill (on which Sighnaghi is located) is from the street to the nearest – you guessed it – monastery, the Bodbe Convent. The convent itself is only mildly interesting, unless you have an obsession with saints (Saint Nino is buried there) and/or holy springs (which allegedly burst from the ground when Saint Nino was praying there). At the site of the latter, it is at least amusing to watch the pilgrims queue with huge receptacles to be filled from the spring – or even for getting hold of one of the white garments (resembling a night skirt) which are probably used for swimming in the holy water (at least I could hear splashing noises from the small building, and the people had wet hair afterwards).

The old city wall offers a similarly good view. It can be climbed on a short section. Two of its towers at accessible, too. However, the wooden steps and platforms are in parts scaringly rotten. This way, the exploration is a true adventure. (*)

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(*) Maybe that is what my host meant when he was telling me of the tourist drop offering good views of the city?