BAMBIS RIGUI AND SHARDINI STREET

In front of the synagogue, stretches, bent, Bambis Rigui, formerly called the "cotton path". Despite its brand new appearance, the site is steeped in history. In the Middle Ages this street was a centre for the sale of cotton, wool and fabrics. Later, a caravanserai was built... The Armenian industrialist Mantachev replaced it with a commercial warehouse designed by the architect Ghazar Sarkisian and composed of two Art Nouveau buildings. On the left side, the building is adjacent to the Artsrouni caravanserai; on the right side, the building separates the road from Chardin Street. The Jan Shardini and Bambis Rigui streets, which have been completely renovated, contrast strongly with the rest of the old town. Rue Chardin was named after the great French traveller, writer and jeweller, known as "chevalier Chardin", known for his travels to the Orient and Persia between the 17th and 18th centuries, who explored Georgia in 1671. Bambis Rigui and Sheridini Street are lined with wine warehouses, art galleries, a contemporary art centre, cafés and restaurants of various categories. You will see the amusing statue of the director Sergei Paradjanov. At the end of the street there is a small square where concerts are held during the summer months.

At the exit of the streets, the reproduction of a small statuette from Vani, called Tamada. Dated from the 7th century BC, it depicts a man raising his horn, making a toast. According to the Georgians, it would be the proof that the Tamada was already celebrated then.