Museums of Kakheti

Georgian National Museum. Signagi Museum

Signagi Museum was established in 2007. It is the first high standard museum in Georgia.Signagi Museum exhibits Archeology, Ethnography and Medieval expositions. The first archeological digs in Georgia are affiliated with the Caucasus Museum founded in 1852. Intensive archeological activities started in Kakheti in the 60-ies of the 20th c. Majority of the unearthed items such as household and cultic articles ranging in time from the Stone Age to the 1st c. BC, are now displayed at the Signagi Museum. Signagi Museum features diverse ethnographic material: musical instruments, weapons, vestments and items reflecting the lifestyle of this town. Medieval exposition features samples of the 4th-18th cc. city life from the settlements of eastern Iberia such as Beri, Rustavi, Khoranta, Nekresi, Khornabuji, Gavazi, Areshi, Gremi, and Bazari.Special place at the Medieval exposition is granted to archeological finds from David Gareja monastic complex. Signagi Museum exhibits 16 paintings by Niko Pirosmanashvili. Pirosmani was born in Kakheti's village of Mirzaani, therefore early period of his artistic career is affiliated with Kakheti.