Gamarjobat, Tbilisi! A fascinating journey to the ancient capital of Georgia. Where to stay in Tbilisi - overview of the capital's districts Who built Tbilisi
If you have just started planning your trip to Tbilisi, then most likely the list above is just a meaningless set of letters for you. Below there will be a photo and description of each place.
If you don’t want to understand the intricacies of Tbilisi streets, you can book a tour. The guide will take you to the most interesting corners of the city and also tell you about them along the way.
Sights of Tbilisi, day 1
Abanotubani
Sulfur Baths area in TbilisiCoordinates: 41.688233, 44.811047
Abanotubani is a quarter in the center of Tbilisi, famous for its sulfur baths complex. According to legend, King Vakhtang Gorgasali was hunting pheasant in this area and found a hot spring. To celebrate, I decided to build a city around the source and move the capital here from. This is how Tbilisi was born.
The area of the sulfur baths is usually the place to end your walk to take a steam bath after a busy day.
Reviews about the baths are different, decide for yourself whether you want this, for starters, you can just look at the round roofs and drink pomegranate juice in Heydar Aliyev Square.
Hot water in this place rises from the depths of the earth from a depth of 2500 meters. They say it's good for the skin.
The baths have common rooms for 3-4 GEL per hour (75-100 rubles) and private rooms with swimming pools from 30 to 150 GEL(750-3700 RUR) depending on the bathhouse, mekise services (massage or scrub) - from 10 GEL (250 RUR).
Canyon with a waterfall in the center of Tbilisi
Houses on the cliff and a spiral staircase to the city 
Waterfall in the center of Tbilisi Coordinates: 41.68674, 44.80903
Behind the sulfur baths the Legvtakhevi gorge begins. We walk along the Tsavkisistskali River (try to pronounce it) to the end and see a waterfall right in the center of Tbilisi.
Vakhtang Gorgasali Square
Georgian khinkali in Samikitno Coordinates: 41.689829, 44.808903
All roads lead to Vakhtang Gorgasali Square (aka Meydan or Maidan). Here we have the inscription I love Tbilisi.
〠 Machakhela(Samikitno) - a popular cafe on the square, 2 floors and a balcony with a view. I used to recommend it because it was tasty and cheap. Now it's completely deteriorated. The portions are small, the wait is long, the food is tasteless. You can have a drink citric lemonade on the balcony, but it’s better to eat it somewhere else.
Shardeni street
Beginning of Shardeni street Coordinates: 41.690333, 44.808641
A short pedestrian street of old Tbilisi with cafes, restaurants and hookah bars. It got its name in honor of a French traveler who visited Tbilisi.
In summer it loses its charm due to crowds of tourists. If you don’t see it, you won’t really lose anything, but you can go and have a look. Prices in cafes on Shardeni are high.
Metekhi Church
We go up to the church Coordinates: 41.690102, 44.811155
We leave Shardeni, cross the river on the bridge and go up to the lookout to the Metekhi Church (there is King Gorgasali on a horse).
From the observation deck we can see the Narikala fortress and the houses of the old city - in 10 minutes we will already be at the top.
Peritsvaleba Monastery and Darejan Palace
Coordinates: 41.691675, 44.812271
On the territory of the Sachino Palace (aka Darejan) there is now a small nunnery.
This place is located on a rock next to the Metekhi Church. The walls have a nice view of the city (Europe Square, Peace Bridge, old Tbilisi), and they also have a gorgeous round balcony.
Europe Square and cable car
Cable car Park Rike - Narikala Coordinates: 41.692011, 44.810719
Cable car operating hours: 11.00-23.00
We cross the road to Europe Square. We see the beautiful Rike Park, but we will return here later. Now our goal is the lower station of the cable car.
Narikala Fortress
Coordinates: 41.688044, 44.808498
From the upper cable car station, follow the sign to the Narikala fortress. This defensive structure at the end of the Sololaki ridge was built more than 1,500 years ago.
Entrance to the fortress is free, the views of Tbilisi are wonderful both during the day and at sunset, when the lights are turned on. The highest point is near the cross above the fortress, we go there.
You can get to Narikala not only by cable car, but also on foot, climbing the mountain along a cobbled street from Meydan Square.
There is also a staircase leading from the Botanical Garden to the western wall of the fortress. From this staircase there is a beautiful view of the Tabori Temple and the Abanotubani area.
Statue of Mother Kartli
Coordinates: 41.688214, 44.804565
From the Narikala Fortress we walk to the statue of Mother Georgia, stopping at observation platforms along the way.
The Mother Kartli monument was built on the top of Sololaki Hill 60 years ago in honor of the 1500th anniversary of Tbilisi.
At first the statue was wooden, then aluminum, and in the 90s it was replaced by the one that towers over Tbilisi today.
In her right hand, Mother of Kartli holds a sword to greet those who come with war, and in her left hand she holds a cup of wine for guests who come in peace.
Staircase to Sololaki
Coordinates: 41.688597, 44.804299
From the statue of Mother Kartli we go down the stairs to the old Sololaki district, periodically stopping at observation platforms. Here it seems that you can reach the roofs of Tbilisi churches with your hand.
Sololaki
Residential building in Sololaki district Going down the stairs, we find ourselves on Betlemi Street in the Sololaki area.
Sololaki is a once elite area in the very center of Tbilisi, where active development has been going on since the end of the 19th century. Nowadays, most of the buildings that are more than 100 years old are in a deplorable condition and, if they evoke admiration, it is mixed with sadness.
I'm glad that the scaffolding is still there - there is hope that Sololaki will be restored.
It is better to walk around the Sololaki area with a guide (for example, praise) to learn the history of the houses and the people who built them.
On your own, without knowing the details, you will just see old houses. The doors of some of them hide breathtakingly beautiful front doors.
〠 Sololaki has several iconic cafes. For example, Pur Pur (cool interior), Rachinsky dukhan (basement room where delicious champignons are served on ketsi)
Front Kaleidoscope
Coordinates: 41.689937, 44.805739
There's a sign on the building Gallery 27
The front door is open with Mon to Sun from 11.00 to 20.00
Old wooden a private house in the Sololaki district, remarkable both in itself and for its front door with stained glass windows. Magical place.
It is better to come in the morning in sunny weather, when the patterns cover the entire floor. After lunch, the drawings are not so bright, but still beautiful. There is a gift shop inside.
Frida Kahlo in Tbilisi
This summer, pictures from Tbilisi with a portrait of Frida Kahlo began to appear frequently on Instagram.
People ask where to look, where to run.
An image of the Mexican artist can be found on the wall at the entrance of the Check Point Hotel in the Sololaki area.
Coordinates: 41.689005, 44.806361
Freedom Square
Coordinates: 41.693419, 44.801507
Freedom Square is noisy and lively, Tbilisi is completely different here.
We don’t linger and go down Pushkin Street, looking at the masonry left over from ancient times.
Shavteni and Gabriadze Theater
We see a monument to a lamplighter and a sculpture of dancing Georgians ( 41.696677, 44.806714 ).
If you wish, you can go to the Baratashvili Bridge. There are also sculptures sitting on it, and also a view of the House of Justice (the National Bank of Georgia is also there).
If we don’t go to the bridge, then we immediately turn onto Shavteni street, coordinates: 41.696031, 44.806571 .
Here puppet theater Rezo Gabriadze, hostels, cafes, ripe grapes hanging overhead (autumn).
Pay attention to the theater tower. Every hour, a golden-winged angel appears from the painted doors and knocks on the bell with a hammer.
Daily on 12.00 And 19.00 You can see a mini-performance in the tower - “The Cycle of Life”.
〠 The cafe on the ground floor of the theater is often recommended to visit. Prices are high for Tbilisi, but tea and donuts are available in other places. IMHO, you can safely skip the cafe.
Tickets for performances (in Georgian with subtitles) at the puppet theater cost from 10 to 30 GEL($4-12) you can view the repertoire and order in advance on the theater website
Bridge of Peace
Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi Coordinates: 41.693065, 44.808319
We reach the pedestrian Bridge of Peace and walk along it to Rike Park.
The Peace Bridge was designed by an Italian architect and built during the time of Saakashvili, but this bright glass structure still irritates some townspeople.
The new authorities even intended to demolish the Peace Bridge, but they never implemented their idea (that’s a good thing!)
Rike Park
Rike Park, Presidential Palace and two chimneys Coordinates: 41.694100, 44.809518
Rike Park is pleasant all year round. There are playgrounds, benches, and walking paths. The area is completely pedestrian.
If you want to see flowering bushes in early spring or late autumn, when Tbilisi looks bare, you can go here - there is always some kind of greenery and flowers in the park.
There is also a monument to Ronald Reagan. The 40th President of the United States sits on a bench and looks at the Presidential Palace. You can sit next to me.
Two pipes in Tbilisi
Looks like some nice pipes, huh? Directly below the Presidential Palace you can see the “chicken thighs” - a futuristic cultural complex that was built a long time ago, but was never opened to visitors.
Just today one intolerant woman wrote a comment about the pipes on my blog: “This is some kind of monstrosity built by Saakashvili, which has not yet become a theater or anything like that.”
In general, not everyone likes the building; people have different perceptions of beauty. My opinion does not coincide with the opinion of the author of the comment.
Palace of the President
The Presidential Palace was also built under Saakashvili. Onlookers are not allowed into the territory, but you can look at the building while walking through Rike Park.
Lookout over Rike
View from the lookout over Rike Park Coordinates: 41.693126, 44.811551
We walk through Rike Park, climb the stairs to the observation deck.
〠 Next to the lookout there is Cafe Flowers (pink house with white stairs). Here you can order wine and cheese and enjoy the view of Rike Park and Mount Mtatsminda. A glass of wine - from 7 lari ($3), a bottle - from 23 lari ($10).
Monument to Mimino
Monument to Mimino by Tsereteli near Avlabari metro station Coordinates: 41.69187, 44.81564
At the Avlabari metro station there is a monument to the heroes of “Mimino”. Author: Zurab Tsereteli. On the way to the Sameba Temple, we taxi to the monument to our favorite heroes (for some, not so beloved).
Tsminda Sameba Cathedral
Coordinates: 41.697516, 44.816543
The Holy Trinity Church is the main cathedral of Tbilisi, visible from anywhere.
The history of the construction of the cathedral on the site of a former Armenian cemetery is quite scandalous (the Armenian diaspora was against it, which is understandable).
The cathedral is interesting both for its external appearance and its interior decoration. Firstly, the building is gigantic, and secondly, real precious stones can be found on the icons.
〠 There is a cafe on site Lagidze water- here delicious creamy lemonade and Adjarian khachapuri are almost the same as in Adjara (almost, but not the same - in Batumi they make it tastier, but the lemonade is really delicious).
Leselidze
The route of the first day does not include the tourist street Kote Abkhazi (aka Leselidze). This is the longest street running through the entire old Tbilisi from Freedom Square to Maidan.
You will get to Leselidze in any case, even if you don’t plan to do so, because... all the roads of the old city lead here one way or another.
Route around Tbilisi for 2 days
We found out what to see in Tbilisi in one day, and now more about the second day. Today we will look into “Tbilisi Europe” and go for a walk along the avenues along the route:
Sights of Tbilisi on the map:
David Agmashenebeli Avenue
Agmashenebeli Avenue On the second day you can come to the metro station Marjanishvili and walk along David Agmashenebeli Avenue to the Dry Bridge.
〠 Near Marjanishvili you can eat the most delicious ice cream in the city in a cafe Luca Polare behind 5 lari($2 / 130 RUR)
Near the Marjanishvili metro station there is a fashionable place today - Fabrika Tbilisi. Something like the Moscow Flacon. This is a large hostel in a former garment factory. You can live there (there are dorms and private rooms), or you can just spend the evening swinging in a hammock with a cup of coffee.
Now let's go back to the street. Agmashenebeli Avenue has recently been improved, part of it is pedestrian. There are street musicians, dozens of cafes, shops, restored old houses. In summer there are festivals and folk celebrations. An analogue of Moscow Arbat and a “piece of Europe” in the center of Tbilisi.
Many people call this area Turkish because Turkish restaurants and hookah bars predominate here. The prices are not low, the exchange rate is unfavorable (in case you decide to change), but a walk along the pedestrian street is definitely worth it.
It’s especially nice here in the evening, when the lights are turned on and the cafes are filled with vacationers. During the day is also good.
There are several decent inexpensive hotels and hostels in the Marjanishvili metro area, I recommend reading about it to understand which area of the city is more convenient to rent housing.
Dry Bridge
Coordinates: 41.701123, 44.802914
Flea market Tbilisi. The range of products offered in recent years has been quite strange. They mostly sell junk. You can buy someone's worn-out shoes or disposable slippers with the Sheraton Hotel logo.
Sometimes there is a chance to find something interesting: souvenirs, handmade toys, old coins, dishes. It’s not worth going specifically to the Dry Bridge, but if you pass by, you can take a look.
Rustaveli Avenue
The figures are placed along the houses below Through the park on April 9 we go to Shota Rustaveli Avenue. This is the main avenue of Tbilisi. Here and there near the houses there are bronze figurines, don’t miss them.
You can walk all the way to the Rustaveli metro station, look at the monumental buildings from Soviet times and at the large bicycle standing at the beginning of the avenue.
There are several theaters and museums on Rustaveli, but I am not an expert on them, so I will not mislead you by recommending any specific one. For me, Tbilisi is still not museums, but city streets, people, music and food.
Mount Mtatsminda
Funicular to Mount Mtatsminda Coordinates: 41.695393, 44.791808
In Tbilisi there is a funicular to Mount Mtatsminda. To travel you need to buy a non-refundable card for 2 lari(50 r) and pay 2.5 GEL for the rise in one side(at night 3.5 GEL).
Whether to visit Mtatsminda or not is everyone’s personal choice. I love this place and every time I am in Tbilisi, my feet carry me here. Looking at your favorite city from the mountain is especially pleasant on a hot day or at sunset.
The disadvantage of the funicular is that the carriage does not move until a sufficient number of people are gathered in it.
There is an amusement park on the mountain: a Ferris wheel, a TV tower, attractions for children, observation decks with views of the city. When it is hellishly hot in Tbilisi in summer, Mtatsminda is quite cool and comfortable.
Here is the temple and graves of Alexander Griboyedov, Stalin's mother. There are 48 graves of poets, dancers, writers, artists, scientists.
Pantheon on Mount Mtatsminda Where to go?
If you really want, in the afternoon you can go to Vake Park, ride the cable car and take a walk near Turtle Lake. If not, then we leave these entertainments for the next day or next year?!
Route around Tbilisi for 3 days
What else to see in Tbilisi when it seems like you’ve seen everything?
We've seen a lot in the first two days, it's time to get outside the center. Today on our agenda are the natural attractions of Tbilisi and the purchase of souvenirs, if necessary.
Route 1: Vake Park and Turtle Lake
Vake Park
Route 2: Lisi Lake and UFO
Service building 112 in Tbilisi We are going for a walk and relaxation at Lake Lisi. In summer there are a lot of people here, there is a well-equipped pebble beach. Sun lounger - 4 lari, bicycles for rent 10 lari(there is a bike path around the lake).
Along the way, don’t forget to stop by to see the “Flying Saucer” of service 112
The 112 Emergency Response Center in Tbilisi is something like 911 in the United States. Joint help service: police, fire, ambulance.
People call with urgent matters, including to report seeing a flying saucer in the area.
Coordinates of the "plate": 41.737818, 44.755711
Located on Mukhran Machavariani street, 1.5 km from Lake Lisi.
Route 3: Tbilisi Sea
Monument to the history of Georgia on the Tbilisi Sea 
Tbilisi sea club A popular vacation spot for city residents. Of course, this is not a sea, but a reservoir, but in summer the Tbilisi Sea is full of people, since it is the largest body of water in the city.
On the Tbilisi Sea there is aquapark, google Gino Paradise (30 lari on weekdays, 40 lari on the weekend).
You can go see the “History of Georgia” memorial by Tsereteli (the monument is huge), take a walk along the sea or relax there.
Option 4: Botanical Garden and Tabori Temple
Tbilisi Botanical Garden If we are in love with the center of Tbilisi and never want to leave it, then we continue exploring the less popular attractions.
We buy khachapuri with lemonade and go for a picnic, then again go down to the Sololaki area and visit another couple of front doors.
Or after the garden we put on comfortable shoes and go up to see from above how small, cozy and charming Tbilisi really is.
Route 5
Churchkhela with hazelnuts is a great souvenir On this day you can go for churchkhela, cheese, and souvenirs.
There, nearby you can go for items made of cloisonné enamel minakari at the Gold Exchange (Sadguris Moedani metro station, Station Square, lower floor of Tbilisi railway station).
I wish you delicious khinkali and comfortable shoes!
Your Mila Demenkova
Located on the banks of the Kura (Mtkvari) River. Population – 1,152,500 people (2010).
It got its name because of the warm sulfur springs (translated from Georgian “tbili” means “warm”).
Founded in the 5th century AD by Vakhtang Gorgasali, king of Iberia, and became the capital in the 6th century, Tbilisi is the most important financial, industrial, transport and cultural center of Georgia.
Its strategic location at the crossroads between Europe and Asia has repeatedly made Tbilisi a bone of contention between various forces in the Caucasus.
Story
The history of Tbilisi as the capital of Georgia begins around the 5th century. Over its 1,500-year history, Tbilisi has been an important cultural, political and economic center in the Caucasus. It was located at the crossroads of important trade routes and was occupied about twenty times by external enemies.
From 1918 to 1921 - the capital of the Georgian Democratic Republic.
In 1921 Georgia became Soviet, and Tbilisi became the capital of the Georgian SSR.
Since 1991, the capital of independent Georgia.
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Transport
Operates in Tbilisi metro. It was put into operation on January 11, 1966 and became the fourth in the USSR after Moscow, Leningrad and Kyiv.
Since 2000, when the last station opened at the moment, there have been 26.3 km of lines and 22 stations located on two lines - Akhmeteli-Varketilskaya and Saburtalinskaya.
In 2011, the Tbilisi metro became the first in the former USSR, where the names of stations are regularly announced, in addition to the state (Georgian), also in English.
Until 2006, there were trolleybus and tram networks in the city (now they do not work).
The main airport of Georgia is located in Tbilisi - Tbilisi International Airport.
The city is the most important railway junction of the Georgian Railway.
Sights of Tbilisi
In the south-eastern part of the city, on both banks of the Kura, there is its historical core - with narrow streets that have preserved the features of medieval buildings. It occupies approximately the territory that Tiflis occupied in the 12th century. The streets in this area are narrow, the buildings have retained the features of medieval buildings.
Here you can see the ruins of the Narikala citadel, completed in the 16th-17th centuries, the stone church of Anchiskhati, the Metekhi church, the Sioni Cathedral and the baths of King Rostom.
Although the term "Old Tbilisi" has long been used to refer to the historical part of the city, the district with this name was formed only in 2007 from streets and blocks previously included in three other districts of the city.
Anchiskhati(Anchiskhati Church) – Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the oldest church in Tbilisi that has survived to this day. It belongs to the Georgian Orthodox Church and dates back to the 6th century.
The church was destroyed and rebuilt several times from the 15th to the 17th centuries due to Georgia's wars with the Persians and Turks.
In Soviet times, the church was converted into a museum of handicrafts, and then it housed an art workshop. From 1958 to 1964, restoration work was carried out (under the leadership of the architect R. Gverdtsiteli), which returned the church to its 17th-century appearance. In 1989, the church became active again.
It was originally built from yellow tuff blocks; brick was used during the restoration in 1958-1964. The building has exits on three sides, but these days only the western exit is used. All icons date from the 19th century, except for the altarpiece, created by order of Catholicos Nikoloz VI (Amilakhvari) in 1683.
Metekhi(Metekhi) is a historical district of Tbilisi on a high cliff hanging over the bank of the Kura River. It is believed that the area was inhabited during the reign of Vakhtang Gorgasal, who built his palace here, and in the 8th century, on the Metekhi rock, as legend says, he suffered the martyrdom of St. Abo Tbilissky. The modern name of the quarter appeared in the 12th century and means “neighborhood of the palace.”
The main attraction of Metekhi is the Assumption Church, picturesquely placed on the ridge of a rock, built in 1278-84 under King Demeter II. In the 19th century, the church was rebuilt as barracks for a Cossack regiment, and under Beria it was almost demolished (the artist Dmitry Shevardnadze paid with his life for protesting against its demolition). Since 1988, the church has been operating again (at one time, Zviad Gamsakhurdia went on a hunger strike, demanding the return of the temple to the Georgian Church).
In the 17th century, the area adjacent to the church was turned into a fortress, and the Shah Abbas Mosque appeared on the other side of the river. With the annexation of Georgia to Russia, the need for fortifications disappeared, and a prison was built in their place. Under Stalin, the prison was closed, but at the same time part of the old buildings of the quarter was demolished (which was motivated by the construction of a bridge across the Kura River). In 1961, the area in front of the temple was decorated with an equestrian statue of Vakhtang Gorgasal.
Sioni Cathedral(Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral) is one of the main churches of Tbilisi, nicknamed in honor of Mount Zion and consecrated in the name of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It stands on the banks of the Kura River in the historical center of the city. Before the construction of the Tsminda Sameba Cathedral, the chair of the Georgian Catholicos was located here.
It was originally built in the sixth and seventh centuries, then destroyed several times.
In 1112, David IV the Builder, having freed Tbilisi from the Arabs, erected a new cathedral in the city, which was repeatedly destroyed and restored. Particularly significant work was required after the invasion of Jalal ad-Din Mankburna and the earthquake of 1668.
In September 1795, the cathedral was severely damaged by the invasion of Agha Mohammed Khan. The wooden choir and iconostasis were burned, the frescoes were covered with soot and soot. The cathedral was soon restored.
After restoration in 1980-1983, the Sioni Temple, despite its complex construction history, retained its medieval appearance. At a distance from the cathedral there are two bell towers - one is an ancient, three-tiered one, built in the 15th century, destroyed by the Persians and restored in the 20th century, the other is a typical example of Russian classicism (built in 1812).
The interior of the temple contains frescoes by the Russian artist G.G. Gagarin. The first place among the temple relics is occupied by the very ancient cross of St. Nino.
(Sameba Cathedral) - the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church; located in Tbilisi, on the hill of St. Ilya (left bank of the Kura). There are 13 altars in the cathedral; the lower church is in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; There is a separate belfry.
The height of the upper temple is 105.5 meters (without the dome cross 98 meters and the cross 7.5 meters); length from east to west – 77 meters, from north to south – 65 meters; total area - more than 5000 square meters.
The temple was founded on November 23, 1995; construction was carried out with donations from ordinary citizens and large businessmen. The first service in the cathedral under construction was held on December 25, 2002.
Narikala(Narikala fortress) is a fortress complex of various eras in Old Tbilisi. The exact time of the founding of the fortress is unknown, but in the 7th century it already existed and was called Shuris-Tsikhe.
Under David the Builder, the Arab fortress was strengthened and expanded. It is believed that the Mongols gave it its modern name. It acquired a look close to its modern one in the 17th-18th centuries, but the earthquake of 1827 caused irreparable damage to it.
In the 1990s. Attempts were made to restore Narikala; in particular, the church of St. Nicholas, which existed on the territory of the fortress in the 12th century.
Pantheon Mtatsminda(Mtatsminda Pantheon) is a necropolis in Tbilisi where many of Georgia's famous writers, artists, scientists and national heroes are buried. It is located in the area around the Church of St. David "Mamadaviti" on the slope of Mount Mtatsminda and was officially opened in 1929.
The first significant burial at this site was that of the famous Russian writer Alexander Griboyedov (1795-1829) and his wife Princess Nino Chavchavadze (1812-1857). The Pantheon was officially opened in 1929 on the 100th anniversary of the tragic death of Griboyedov in Iran. Since that time, many prominent Georgians have been buried or reburied here.
The cemetery is managed by the Tbilisi municipality and is one of the city's most famous landmarks.
Rustaveli Avenue(Rustaveli Avenue) is the central avenue of Tbilisi, named after the medieval Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli. The total length of the avenue, stretching from Freedom Square to Rustaveli Square, is about 1.5 km.
On the avenue there are a large number of government, public, cultural and commercial buildings, including the Parliament of Georgia, the Kashveti Church, the Georgian Academy of Sciences, the National Museum of Georgia, the Opera and Ballet Theater, the Shota Rustaveli Theater, the Tbilisi Russian Drama Theater named after A. S. Griboyedov and others. Plane trees are planted on both sides of the avenue.
The bloody events of 1989, as well as anti-government protests in 2007 and 2011, took place on Rustaveli Avenue.
Freedom Square(Freedom Square) – located in the central part of Tbilisi. The square houses the Tbilisi city administration, as well as the central branch of the Bank of Georgia and the Marriott Hotel.
The square has repeatedly become the site of mass protests, in particular during the Rose Revolution, as well as in Soviet times - for the independence of Georgia from the USSR.
During Soviet times, there was a monument to Lenin on the square. On November 23, 2006, the Freedom Monument created by Zurab Tsereteli was opened - a monument depicting St. George killing a dragon.
Bridge of Peace(The Bridge of Peace) is a pedestrian bridge on the Kura River in Tbilisi, located between the Metekhi and Baratashvili bridges. The bridge connects Irakli II Street and Rike Park.
The bridge consists of a 156-meter steel frame covered with glass. The entire structure rests on 4 powerful supports. You can get to the bridge from Irakli II Street and Rike Park, as well as from the embankment boulevards.
The bridge was built on the initiative of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. The customer was the Tbilisi City Hall. The bridge was officially opened on May 6, 2010.
(Tbilisi Botanical Garden) - located in the historical center of Tbilisi, south of the Sololaki ridge, in the valley of the Tsavkisistskali River.
The history of the Tbilisi Botanical Garden goes back about four hundred years. Georgian and world flora is widely represented in the garden (about 3,500 taxonomic units). There are three bridges across the Tsavkisistskali River on the territory of the botanical garden. Particularly noteworthy is the arched bridge over a large waterfall, built in 1914.
The main entrance to the botanical garden is located at the end of the botanical street at the base of the Narikala fortress. In 1909-1914, a tunnel was dug in the Sololaki ridge and a second entrance to the botanical garden was made from Lado Street
Asatiani. The tunnel was opened until 2004, then closed and converted into a nightclub.
Currently, the area of the botanical garden is 128 hectares.
Capital of Georgia. The name Tbilisi was first mentioned in the 4th century; its appearance is associated with the presence of warm sulfur springs in the city (Georgian Tbili is warm). The ancient form of the name Tpilisi, from which the names of the city adopted by other peoples are derived... Geographical encyclopedia
Tbilisi- Tbilisi. Kura River and Metekhi Cathedral (founded in 1278). TBILISI (until 1936 Tiflis), capital of Georgia, on the Kura River. 1283 thousand inhabitants. Railway junction. Metropolitan (1966). Mechanical engineering (machine tools, electric locomotives, instruments, agricultural... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary
Capital of the Georgian SSR. Known since the 4th century, the capital of Georgia since the 12th century. Stretched in a narrow strip for almost 30 km in the river valley. Kura and on the adjacent slopes of the mountains. In the southeastern part of Tbilisi there is its ancient core, the Old Town with narrow streets,... ... Art encyclopedia
- (until 1936 Tiflis), the capital of Georgia, on the Kura River. 1283 thousand inhabitants. Railway junction. Metropolitan (1966). Mechanical engineering (machine tools, electric locomotives, instruments, agricultural machines, electrical equipment, etc.), light (textile,... ... Modern encyclopedia
- (until 1936 in Russian transcription Tiflis) the capital of Georgia, on the river. Kura. Railway junction. 1279 thousand inhabitants (1991; including settlements subordinate to the city administration, 1283 thousand inhabitants). Mechanical engineering (production of machine tools,... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
Tiflis Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Tbilisi noun, number of synonyms: 3 city (2765) capital ... Synonym dictionary
- (until 1936 in Russian transcription Tiflis) the capital of the Georgian SSR. A large industrial, scientific and cultural central transport hub. Located in the Tbilisi basin, along both banks of the river. Chickens, at an altitude of 406,522 m. Average... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia
TBILISI- GEORGIA Tbilisi (until 1936 in Russian transcription Tiflis), the capital of Georgia, is located in the valley of the Kura River in the Caucasus Mountains. The city's population is 1,353,000 inhabitants. Convenient location of the city on one of the mountain routes connecting the Black and Caspian... ... Cities and countries
- (until 1936 Tiflis) city, capital of Gruz. SSR, one of the largest industrial, cultural and scientific. centers of the USSR, located in the valley of the river. Chickens. Railway junction, airport, beginning military point cargo. roads. As of 1 Jan. 1972 927 t. (in 1897 160.6 tons, in 1926 294 tons... Soviet historical encyclopedia
- (until 1936 Tiflis) capital of Georgia. USSR, industrial and cultural center. 1066 thousand inhabitants (as of Jan. 1979). T. is Ch. city of Georgia from 5th to 6th centuries. Information about music. T.'s life was preserved in ancient chronicles and literature. monuments of ancient centuries. WITH… … Music Encyclopedia
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- Tbilisi is the capital of the Georgian SSR. Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia. One of the oldest cities in the world, one of the largest industrial, cultural and scientific centers of the Soviet Union. Founded in the second half of the 5th century. Its name...
- Tbilisi. Guide, Georgy Khutsishvili. Georgians say: “When a guest comes to the house, it is the sunrise. When he leaves the house, it is the sunset for the owner.” Let's hope the sun never sets on the inhabitants of this ancient...
Mentioned in the 4th century, it is associated with local warm springs, which gave the name to the new settlement. The history of , or Tiflis, as the city was called before 1936, is filled with large and small events of global significance or important only to local residents.
At the origins of the city
The settlement has always been at the crossroads of economic, cultural and trade routes, and has more than once become the subject of disputes between neighbors. But it is difficult to name the exact date of the founding of the city, since no documentary sources have survived. The official version is the 5th century AD, the founder is the king of Iberia Vakhtang I Gorgasal.
Some historians claim that the name Tbtlada was found earlier, on ancient Roman maps. Archaeological excavations also confirm the presence of settlements on the territory of the modern city dating back to the 1st–2nd centuries. ad.
Capital status
It is believed that it became the main city of the state under King Dachi, who was the heir of Vakhtang I Gorgasal. The new ruler from Mtskheta moved the capital to Tbilisi. Since the city had a good location, it began to develop quickly, at this time fortifications were completed around the center, and the Anchiskhati temple was erected.
The end of the first millennium was marked, if we talk briefly about the history of Tbilisi, by the constant confrontation of local residents with uninvited guests from both the north and the south. The heyday began in 1122, when a king known as David the Builder began to rule the city, and under him Tbilisi became the capital of Georgia.
Medieval history of Tbilisi
The Middle Ages was a time of instability, the struggle for independence, and confrontation with the Mongol army and other foreign armies. Among the important military events of the Middle Ages, the following are noted:
- 1238 - capture of the city by the Mongols;
- 1386 – offensive of Timur’s army;
- 1522 - invasion of the Persian troops of Shah Ismail I;
- 1578 – period of Turkish rule.
With the coming to power of Tsar Simon I, the Turks were expelled from the country, Tbilisi regained its title as the capital of the state. Then a period of difficult relations begins with, as a result, Georgia becomes part of the empire, and the residence of the Supreme Georgian government is located in Tbilisi.
At the turn of the century
The end of the 19th century for Tbilisi is characterized by a sharp rise in the economy, an increase in the number of local and foreign enterprises, and, accordingly, an increase in population. In addition, the city acts as the center of the revolutionary movement in the Caucasus.
After the October Revolution in Georgia, an attempt was made to create an independent state - the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic, which was then divided into Georgia. But these republics remained part of the USSR, and only in the late 1990s did Georgia become an independent state, and Tbilisi its main city.
The content of the article
TBILISI(until 1936 in Russian transcription Tiflis), the capital of Georgia, the largest city in the country, an industrial and cultural center. Population – 1082 thousand people (based on the results of the 2002 census). Located in eastern Georgia, in the Tbilisi depression, on the banks of the Kura River, at an altitude of 380–750 m above sea level. Total area – approx. 140 sq. km. The city is divided into five administrative districts.
Tbilisi has a complex natural terrain. Its neighborhoods are bordered on three sides by mountain slopes and hills, so the city stretches 30 km along the river. Its central areas are located on terraces on both sides of the Kura.
Winters are moderate, summers are hot. The average annual temperature is about 13° C. In January –1° C, in July – 24.5° C. Annual precipitation – 560 mm.
The Kura crosses the city from northwest to southeast. Within the city limits there is the Tbilisi Reservoir, Lisskoe and Turtle Lakes. Natural historical forests around the city have long been cut down, the slopes of the mountains and hills are covered with artificial forest plantations.
Tbilisi is a multinational city. Georgians make up 84% of the population (2002), Armenians - 7.6%, Russians - 3%, Kurds - 1.8%, Azerbaijanis - 1%, Ossetians - 0.95%, Greeks - 0.35%, Ukrainians - 0 .3%, Jews – 0.2%, others – 0.8%. The population of Tbilisi is also very diverse in terms of religious composition. The vast majority of Georgians, Russians, Greeks and Ossetians profess Orthodox Christianity, while Armenians are Gregorian Christians. Only 0.2% of Kurds are Muslims, the rest are Yazidis. Azerbaijanis are Sunni Muslims. There are communities of Jews (Jews), small Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Hare Krishna and other communities.
Historical sketch.
According to archaeological data, the territory of Tbilisi was inhabited back in the 4th millennium BC. It is believed that the city was founded by King Vakhtang I Gorgasali in the 5th century. AD, but the first chronicle mention of Tbilisi dates back to the 4th century AD. Legend has it that King Vakhtang was hunting in this area, his falcon chased a pheasant, caught it, but fell into a hot sulfur spring with it. The king liked the place so much that he decided to begin extensive construction here. It is believed that the name of the city came from these warm springs (the word “tbili” in Georgian means warm). Son of King Vakhtang I, Dachi, in the beginning. 6th century moved the capital from Mtskheta to Tbilisi.
In the middle of the 7th century. Arabs invaded Georgia. Since the 30s of the 8th century. Tbilisi is the residence of the Arab emir. In the 9th–11th centuries. the city was subject to invasions by the Khazars, Persians, and Seljuk Turks, remaining under the rule of the Arab emir. Only in 1122 did the Georgian king David IV, nicknamed the Builder, defeat the Seljuk Turks and throw off their yoke, thereby completing the unification of Georgia. He again made Tbilisi the capital of Georgia.
In the 12th century, during the heyday of the unified Georgian feudal state, Tbilisi turned into one of the largest trade, craft and cultural centers in the Middle East. It was at this time that a special way of life and way of life, a special culture began to take shape here, which ultimately formed the unique face of the city, which, despite all subsequent upheavals, it retained throughout its history. Starting from the 20s of the 13th century, with the advent of new powerful enemies - the Mongols, difficult times came for Georgia. Tbilisi was captured and plundered several times both by the Mongols themselves and by the Khorezmian prince Jalal-ed-Din, who was persecuted by them. At the end of the 14th and beginning of the 15th centuries. Timur Leng (Tamerlane) launched several devastating raids on the city.
From the end of the 15th century. until the first half of the 17th century. inclusive of Tbilisi was conquered several times by Persia and Turkey. In 1795, the city experienced the last terrible conquest, when the ruler of Iran, Agha Mohammed Qajar, literally razed Tbilisi to the ground, capturing the city, he burned it and massacred or took captive the population. Only the approach of Russian troops to Tbilisi in 1796 forced Agha Mohammed to leave Georgia.
In 1801, after the annexation of eastern Georgia to Russia, the Tbilisi province was formed, the city became its administrative center and the residence of the commander-in-chief of Russian troops in the Caucasus. Since 1845, Tbilisi has been the residence of the royal governor in the Caucasus. From the end of the 19th century. The rise of the revolutionary movement in the Russian Empire did not bypass Tbilisi either. In 1892, the first social democratic organization in Georgia, Mesame Dasi, was created here.
After the February Revolution of 1917, the Mensheviks came to power in Georgia, they declared its independence from Russia, Tbilisi became the capital of the new republic. But already on February 25, 1921, units of the Red Army entered the city, Georgia was transformed into the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic, Tbilisi remained its capital.
From the second half of the 80s of the 20th century. Tbilisi has become the center of the Georgian independence movement, which has become especially active since the end of 1988. On April 9, 1989, a multi-day rally on Rustaveli Avenue in front of the building of the Supreme Council of the Republic with a call for secession from the USSR ended in the dispersal of the protesters, resulting in human casualties. This led to the defeat of the Georgian Communist Party in the autumn parliamentary elections. The overwhelming majority of votes was received by the union of nationalist forces called “Mrgvali Magida” (“Round Table”), led by Zviad Gamsakhurdia.
After the declaration of independence on April 9, 1991, Tbilisi became the capital of the Republic of Georgia. However, political disagreements soon began within the ranks of the ruling bloc, leading to civil confrontation and armed conflict, the main arena of which was again Rustaveli Avenue (Sept. 1991 - Jan. 1992), which led to fires and destruction in the center of the capital. In subsequent years, Tbilisi remained the center of all political events taking place in Georgia, including the so-called “Rose Revolution” (November 2003).
Economy.
The economic development of Tbilisi in the Middle Ages was due to the fact that the city was located at the crossroads of trade routes throughout the South Caucasus, connecting Georgia with Eastern Transcaucasia, Iran, Syria, Armenia, and one of the branches of the Great Silk Road passed through it. After joining Russia, he retained this function. From the second half of the 19th century. The first capitalist-type enterprises began to appear in the city at the beginning of the 20th century. There were already about 600 factories and factories in Tbilisi. The most significant of them were paper spinning, plywood, felt, match and tobacco factories, tanneries, breweries and oil mills. The city traded mainly in textiles, tea, iron, porcelain and glass products, its turnover reached 40–45 million royal rubles. in year. The Transcaucasian railway connected Tbilisi with Baku, Batumi and Kars; there was also a railway to Russia and a “wheel track” - the Georgian Military Highway, going through the Cross Pass to Vladikavkaz.
During the years of Soviet power, along with food and light industry, heavy industry began to develop here. By the beginning of the 80s, Tbilisi's share in the industrial production of the republic was more than 30%. There were electric locomotive, aviation, machine tool, instrument-making factories, textile, meat and dairy, wine and other enterprises.
After the collapse of the USSR and the collapse of the unified Soviet economy, an economic crisis occurred in Georgia, and almost all industrial enterprises stopped. Tbilisi did not escape this fate either. In the late 80s, only commercial enterprises operated in the city, trading mainly in imported goods and domestic agricultural products. Since the mid-90s, the first signs of industrial revival have emerged, primarily in the production of food products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
The process of economic revival has been and continues to be very difficult. The main reasons for this: lack of own financial resources, unfavorable conditions for attracting foreign investment (incompetence and weakness of government structures, inconsistency and half-heartedness in carrying out economic reforms, dominance of crime, etc.), as well as the inability of entrepreneurs to work in new, market conditions. Tbilisi is at the forefront of the development of the Georgian economy; according to official statistics, in 2004 the capital's share in the production of goods and services amounted to more than 56% (approx. $1 billion).
Plants and factories in Tbilisi produce approx. 49% of all industrial products. Pharmacological enterprises operate in the capital, construction materials are produced, and in recent years commercial construction of housing and hotels has expanded significantly. Now in the city, along with several dozen guesthouses and small hotels, there are three four-star hotels. As a rule, leading enterprises have a significant share of foreign capital.
The city has had a metro since 1966. The current authorities are making significant efforts to revive ground municipal transport and streamline road traffic.
Attractions.
In the architecture of Tbilisi, three eras of its development are clearly distinguished: the period from ancient times to the beginning. 19th century, the period when Georgia was part of the Russian Empire and the last, Soviet period. Over time, the city grew from east to west and north, its oldest part is located in the southeast on both sides of the Kura. Winding streets and low, mostly two-story houses with picturesque balconies rise on the steep right bank of the river; they literally grow out of the rock and seem ready to collapse from the cliff. The end of the rocky ridge is crowned by the Metekhi Temple (built in the 17th century, erected on the site of the oldest church in the city from the 5th century) and the palace of Queen Darejan, the wife of the penultimate king of independent Georgia, Irakli (Erekle) II.
At the beginning of the Wine Rise, along which you can get to this part of Tbilisi, stands a monument to the famous Georgian poet of the Romantic era Nikoloz Baratashvili (sculptor Boris Tsibadze). From here you can see the much lower right bank of the Kura. The city smoothly spreads along it and rises with ledges to the foot of the Narikala fortress, the walls of which in ancient times protected the city’s inhabitants from enemy invasions. Not far from the fortress stands a multi-meter statue by sculptor Elgudzhi Amashukeli - Mother Georgia. A woman in national Georgian attire holds a cup of wine in one hand and a sword in the other to meet friends and enemies with dignity.
Here, next to each other, are the Zion Church (6th century, the last reconstruction dates back to the 19th century), which until recently was the cathedral of the Georgian Patriarchate, a Jewish synagogue, a Muslim mosque, Gregorian and Catholic churches. Here is also the famous area of sulfur baths (Abanotubani), which is a favorite vacation spot for citizens and guests of Tbilisi to this day. Along the street of Konstantin Leselidze, the famous Georgian commander of the Second World War, you can get to the central square of the city (now Freedom Square), where the city hall building, one of the newly built upscale hotels, the Courtyard Marriot and Pushkin Square are located. From here Pushkin Street goes down to the embankment. Here is the house where the great Russian poet stayed when he was in Tbilisi. Rustaveli Avenue starts from Freedom Square. It, like Agmashenebeli Avenue, located on the right bank and running almost parallel to it, was built up mainly from the beginning of the 19th century. The architecture of many buildings that have survived to this day vividly recalls this era.
These two avenues are to this day the focus of the spiritual and cultural life of the capital. Most of the theaters, museums, scientific institutions and administrative buildings are located here. On Rustaveli Avenue, the palace of the royal governor in the Caucasus (now the Palace of Schoolchildren) was built, next to it the building of the Georgian parliament (mid-20th century), the building of the gymnasium, where many famous figures of Georgia studied for two centuries. There is also a theater named after. Rustaveli, State Historical Museum of Georgia, State Art Gallery, a little further – Opera and Ballet Theater. On one of the upper streets adjacent to the avenue there is the building of the State Conservatory. On Agmashenebeli Avenue there is a modern building of the Georgian Philharmonic Concert Hall, and on the street named after the Georgian director Kote Marjanishvili, which crosses it, there is the Marjanishvili Drama Theater.
As already noted, the western and northwestern areas of the city were developed mainly during the Soviet era. The Vake district on the right bank begins with an avenue named after the Georgian writer and public figure 19 - early. 20th century Ilya Chavchavadze. The building of Tbilisi State University opens the avenue. At the end of it, on the left side, is one of the largest cultural and recreational parks in the city. The main road from it rises up the mountain and leads to the favorite summer vacation spot of the townspeople - the village of Tskneti. Despite its proximity to Tbilisi (approx. 15 km), this place has a much more favorable climate due to its higher location above sea level (950 m).
From the end of Vake, a separate road leads to Turtle Lake. In the vicinity of the lake there is an open-air museum of Folk Architecture and Life. Here visitors can get acquainted with the ethnography of the inhabitants of all regions and corners of Georgia. In the north of the city there is an artificial reservoir, the so-called Tbilisi Sea, which is a popular vacation spot for citizens in the summer heat. Among the recreation areas, the Tbilisi Botanical Garden, located in the old part of the city, between the Sulfur Baths area and Freedom Square, on the slope of the mountain, is also especially worth mentioning. More than 5,000 species of various plants are represented here. The garden was founded in the 20s of the seventeenth century and in recent years, with the assistance of patrons, has been enriched with many new rare specimens. To the west, also on the mountainside, is a pantheon of writers and public figures. Here is the tomb of A. Griboyedov and his wife Nina, the daughter of the Georgian poet A. Chavchavadze.
Institutions of culture, science and education.
There are more than 30 museums in Tbilisi. In addition to the above, the most significant are the State Museum of Art of Georgia, which, along with exhibits representing national fine art from ancient times to the present day, contains interesting collections of Oriental, European and Russian art; Museum of the History of Tbilisi, which is located in the caravanserai building in the old part of the city next to the Zion Church. There are 15 theaters in the city, including the State Opera and Ballet Theater, the aforementioned drama theaters named after. Rustaveli and Marjanishvili, Russian Drama Theater named after. A. Griboyedov, Armenian Theater named after. S.Shaumyan, theaters of Musical Comedy, Pantomime, Puppets, etc. The theatrical life of the city did not interrupt even in the most difficult times of political unrest and continues to develop. In recent years, several dozen new children's (folklore, etc.) musical and theatrical groups have been created.
In Tbilisi approx. 300 state general education and specialized schools, along with them there are several dozen private secondary educational institutions with a fairly high level of education. Of the 12 state higher educational institutions, the oldest is Tbilisi University (the first university in the South Caucasus), founded in 1918 by a group of scientists, the core of which were graduates of St. Petersburg University. The university gave rise to several dozen universities in the country, as well as the Georgian Academy of Sciences. Along with state higher education institutions, in recent years some private universities have also gained popularity (Black Sea University, Caucasus Business School, ESM - International School of Management, etc.).
There are more than 100 libraries in the city. The most significant of them are the State Public Library and the libraries of the Academy of Sciences and the State University. Tbilisi is a center of television and radio broadcasting. There are 9 public and private TV channels. The capital is also a center of publishing activity. Several dozen newspapers and magazines are published in Tbilisi, most of them in Georgian. After several years of decline, book publishing activity also picked up.
However, the difficult economic situation still has a negative impact on the development of culture, science and education. It especially affected Georgian cinema. Georgia Film Studio, located in Tbilisi, where many outstanding films were created ( Soldier's Father, Repentance etc.), is now experiencing significant difficulties. Currently, the country is undergoing a reform of the science and education system; the city authorities are making efforts to attract additional sources of funding to the social sphere in general, incl. in the field of science and culture.
Natia Revishvili, Ketevan Amirejibi
