It was called Tbilisi. Detailed map of Tbilisi with streets, houses in Russian. Our reviews about the capital of Georgia
Every year, the capital of Georgia is visited by tourists from different countries, who are greatly impressed by the area. So what interesting things can every guest of the city learn for himself and what kind of population of Tbilisi can be met on its streets?
Some historical information
Tbilisi is the oldest city, not only of Georgia, but of the whole world. Archaeological scientists have found that the first settlements on the territory of the modern city appeared in the 4th century AD.
But the first mention of Tbilisi as a city dates back to 479. From that moment on, the territory of the current capital of Georgia was inhabited by various peoples with their own cultures. This colorfulness is reflected in the modern appearance of the city.
Until 1936, the city bore the name Tiflis, but only in Russian colloquial speech. Local residents called it Tpilisi. This name comes from the location of warm sulfur springs on the territory, and from Georgian “tbili” means “warm”.
Legend associated with the name
There is a national legend about how the city got its current name. According to it, initially the territory of modern Tbilisi was completely covered with forests, in which there were many wild animals and birds. And one day, the reigning monarch at that time (5th century AD) Vakhtang Gorgasal shot a pheasant, which fell into a sulfur spring and was boiled. This led to the discovery of healing warm springs, near which Vakhtang Gorgasal ordered the foundation of a city.
In the modern city, on the site of the sulfur deposits, there is a quarter of baths.
Territorial location
The heart of Georgia is located on the banks of the picturesque Kura River. It covers an area of 726 square kilometers and is the largest city in the country. It borders with other Georgian cities - Gardabani and Mtskheta.
Number of citizens
At the time of the 2016 census, the population of Tbilisi was 1,082,000 people - this is 1/3 of the total population of the entire country.
Ethnic composition of Tbilisi
The population of the city of Tbilisi is very colorful. This is not a place where only indigenous people live.
According to sociological data, the picture of residents is as follows:
- the bulk are people of Georgian nationality - 85%;
- 7.5% - Armenians;
- Russian population in Tbilisi is 3%;
- Kurds - 1.7%;
- Azerbaijanis - 1%;
- Ossetians - 0.9%;
- Greeks - 0.35%;
- Ukrainians - 0.3%;
- Jews - 0.2%.
Based on such a multinational composition, religious diversity also develops. The overwhelming majority of the population, which includes Georgians, Russians, Ukrainians and Greeks, preaches Christianity; Armenians adhere to Gregorian Christianity. Islam is less widespread; its supporters are Kurds and Azerbaijanis.
In addition, there are other religious views on the territory of Tbilisi: Baptism, Lutheranism, Judaism.
You need to go around the whole of Tbilisi, since almost every street has some kind of attraction. If you don’t have much time for a sightseeing tour, then you can limit yourself to the following objects.
"Sulfur Baths" are the main attraction of the capital. It was the sulfur springs, according to local legend, that became the reason for the founding of the city. Another main reason for tourists’ pilgrimage to these places is the healing effect provided by these sources.
This area is considered the oldest in the city. The main feature of the baths is that they do not have a room for heating water. This is not an omission of the builders; they are simply not needed, since the water temperature in these sources can reach 60 degrees.
The bath structure is a building with a domed roof, which was built based on Persian buildings. Once upon a time, the baths were very popular and worked around the clock, and their number was 60 buildings.
Currently, there are only a few bathhouses operating in Tbilisi: VIP, “No. 52”, “Royal Bath”.
An excellent place for a family holiday is Bombora Park, which is located in the city center, on Mount David (another name is Mtatsminda). This mountain is a symbol of the city, from which a wonderful panoramic view of all of Tbilisi opens.
On the approach to the hill (on the slope) the Church of St. David was built, the construction of which dates back to the 19th century. When climbing to the top itself, you will come across a TV tower, the height of which is 277.4 meters.
But the main attraction is Bombra Park. It has an observation deck that offers a complete overview of the city. The houses and castles surprise you with their bizarre shapes. But tourists pay special attention to attractions, which are presented in several versions: children's, extreme, family, and also a play village.
Norashen is an Armenian Gregorian temple, it was built in the 15th-16th centuries. But over time, its original appearance changed, so now tourists can see the style of architecture of the 18th century.
In addition to Norashen, there are several other Armenian churches in Tbilisi. The most famous are Surb Gevorg and Surb Gevorg Mughni.
Rustaveli Avenue is a central street in the Georgian capital, and is also considered one of the main ones. It received its name in honor of the Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli.
If you want to see all the bustle of the city and real Tbilisi life, then you should definitely visit Rustaveli Avenue. It is here that all cultural, commercial and historical objects are concentrated: theaters, museums, various shops, cafes, including open-air ones, hotels, the main city road. The entire city is concentrated here.
The length of the avenue is approximately 1.5 km. At one end the avenue ends at Freedom Square, at the other at Rustaveli Square, on which a monument to the poet is erected.
This is only a hundredth part of what can be seen in Tbilisi. The city is full of all kinds of buildings: churches of different faiths, museums with various exhibitions, ancient houses in contrast with modern ones. A day is not enough to see everything.
Industrial significance
The city is also of industrial importance not only for Georgia, but for the whole world. The main industry enterprises are mechanical engineering, metal processing, and food industry.
Several currently operating factories have been built in the city: for the construction of electric locomotives, aviation named after. Dimitrov, for the production of agricultural machinery, machine tool manufacturing, production of equipment for winemaking, instrument making, iron foundry, electric car repair.
The food industry is represented by the production of ancient wine and cognac drinks, sparkling wines, tobacco, butter, bakery products, and dairy products. The city is also famous for its production of silk, wool and knitted fabrics. The production of haberdashery products, clothing and footwear is well established. There are also furniture factories, production of building materials, a plant for the production of ceramic products, and pharmacy in Tbilisi. In addition to production structures, the scientific sphere is developing well in the capital of Georgia.
Conclusion
The population of Tbilisi is quite diverse. The sights of this city will not leave any tourist indifferent.
The city is full of interesting objects that have historical, religious, cultural significance for the population. The central avenues and quiet streets paved with stone offer a lot of interesting things for travelers. Nature lovers will appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the local forests and mountain slopes.
History of Tbilisi- this is the sequence of events on the territory of the city of Tbilisi from its foundation in the 5th century to the present day. Approximately 1500 years. This is a really big and rich story, and it left behind many traces. There are cities whose rich history exists on its own, without affecting modernity, but this is not the case in Tbilisi. A lot has changed over 1500 years, a lot has died, and modern Tbilisi is 90% Soviet-built, but still there are some hints of the past left in it - and there are many of these hints. There is a lot we don’t know - for example, we don’t know what Tbilisi looked like in the 10th century. But it is already possible to draw some conclusions about its condition in the 12th - 13th centuries.
Tbilisi before its foundation
Many cities in eastern Georgia were founded during the Late Bronze Age, immediately after Kartian tribes settled on the plains from the Borjomi Gorge to the Gombori Range. But Tbilisi is an exception; it arose in the era of late antiquity. Someone definitely lived on its territory even before its founding. An ancient settlement was found in the Didube quarter and some settlements were excavated in the southern part of the Digomi region. There is an opinion that someone lived on the Metekhi rock in ancient times.
Tbilisi to its foundation is just a narrow gorge. The Sololaki ridge (a spur of the Trialeti ridge) stretches here to the east and abuts the Kura River at its tip, on which the Narikala fortress now stands. From the north, the foothills of the Caucasus Range gently descend and one spur of this range - Mount Mahata - also abuts the river with a rock known as Metekhi. Between the Metekhi rock and the Sololaki ridge there is a narrow gorge through which the Kura River once broke through to the east. This is a kind of gateway to the interior of the country, and this gorge-gate was previously strengthened by the canyon of the Tsavkisistskali River. To pass this narrow place, the traveler had to make a loop around the canyon, cross it in the area of the modern entrance to the Botanical Garden, and then go around the mountain on which the Narikala fortress stands. Therefore, the appearance of a city in such a strategically important place is quite understandable. Another thing is unclear: why it arose so late.
Founding of Tbilisi
It is believed that Tbilisi appeared in 458, during the reign of King Vakhtang Gorgasal. In addition to Tbilisi, Vakhtang founded several more cities, but all in Kakheti. History has not preserved the details. The chronicles write briefly: he built a city. The popular consciousness has retained a more vivid picture of what is happening: there is a well-known legend about how King Vakhtang hunted pheasant here and discovered sulfur springs. This story is so famous that it was even included in the bestseller of the early twentieth century, Kurban Said’s novel “Ali and Nino”:
Once upon a time, in ancient times, a certain padishah released his falcon into the sky. He pounces on the black grouse. The padishah waits, but the falcon still does not return. Then he begins to look for his bird and wanders into a small forest. And in this forest there is a sulfur spring. The padishah sees that both the falcon and the black grouse are drowning in the water. When the padishah saw this source, he immediately decided to found Tiflis on this place. The grouse bathhouse is here, and instead of a forest now stands Tiflis. Tiflis began with sulfur, and it will end with sulfur.
Bulat Okudzhava wrote a verse about this in 1988:
The predatory beast struggled and writhed under your arrow.
Eternal darkness came to my eyes.
The star lit up. The hunting day is over.
And then a pheasant appeared from the bushes.Oh, how brightly his plumage burned!
But the arrow sang and extinguished the fire...
And then, as if on the first night of creation,
"Let Tbilisi arise!" - you extended your hand.
This story has many visual implications. Near the sulfur baths there is now a statue of a falcon with a pheasant in its talons. The pheasant can be seen on the Tbilisi logo and on street hatches. The restaurant "Maidani" has a signature dish "Pheasant Gorgosali". In 1961, an equestrian statue of Vakhang Gorgasal was erected on the Meth rock, who, as it were, makes a decision on the founding of the city. The Gorgasali restaurant near the baths hints at the same events with its name.
Unfortunately, the dating of this event is somewhat arbitrary and we do not know against what historical background it happened. Therefore, it is difficult to imagine what exactly Vakhtang was thinking about when creating a new city. He could, for example, build it as a fortification on the approaches to Mtskheta. Or he could strengthen an already existing settlement that arose at the sulfur springs.
The first buildings of the new city apparently appeared on the rocky shore, on the cape between the Kura and Tsavkisistskali. Now on this place stands the Temple of the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia, and on the site of the Tsavkisistskali Canyon stands Aliyev Square. In 2012, foundations were found near the temple of the martyrs, which were identified as the remains of the palace of King Vakhtang.
Name
Why was the city called "Tbilisi"? In its name it is easy to guess the word თბილი ( tbili) meaning "warm". But this is a late formed word; in Old Georgian it looked like ტფილი ( tpili), and the city was called Tpilisi. Moreover, this name dates back to the 19th century.
Coin from the era of Nicholas I with the inscription TPILISI
It is believed that the word TPILI comes from the proto-Kartvelian root TEP, which in turn comes from the Nostratic language, from which it also came into Indo-European languages. Hence, by the way, the Slavic “Heat” and “Warmth”. So the initial letter “T” in the words “Warm” and “Tbilisi” is not a coincidence.
The name Tpilisi turned out to be unpronounceable for the Greeks, who do not have TP combinations in their language. They remade it for their convenience, inserting the letter “I”, and this is how the Greek “Tiflis” turned out. From Greek it came into Arabic, where it became “Tiflis”. A direct transformation of Tpilisi into Tiflis is unlikely, since the Arabs have no problems pronouncing the sounds TP or TB. They still officially call the city Tbilisi (تبليسي). The name "Tiflis" remained in the Turkish language, which, like Greek, does not allow combinations of TB.
It is interesting that instead of the word “warm” they could take the word “hot” (tskheli) as a basis and the city would be called Tskhelisi. If Mingrelians or Laz lived here, he would have turned out to be Tubulsi. If the Svans had lived, Tebidsi would have turned out.
Dark Middle Ages
Vakhtang died in 502, and his kingdom died even earlier, synchronously with the overthrow of the Roman emperor Odoacer and the end of the history of the Ancient World. In those years, the Middle Ages began in Europe, and in Georgia - the dark era of the Persian occupation. Vakhtang was succeeded by his son Dachi or Darchil (522-534), who lived mainly in the Ujarma fortress. It was he who committed a historical act: he finally moved the capital from Mtskheta to Tbilisi. For what? Nobody remembers anymore. It is significant that he, in principle, did not live in Mtskheta. Maybe Mtskheta was destroyed by the Persians, or maybe there were too many Persian observers there.
Dachi also did something else important: he built in Tbilisi (or near Tbilisi) the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Anchiskhati), which to this day remains the oldest surviving building in the city. Little has been preserved from this temple: both the vaults and columns were rebuilt in later eras, and only the walls here and there are still the same ones that remember Tsar Dacha.
After Dacha, several more kings lived in Tbilisi: Bakur II, Farsman V, Farsman VI and Bakur III, but the latter lived in Ujarma, and at that time there was already a Persian garrison in Tbilisi. In 580, Bacur died and the Persians abolished royal power as such.
Just during the years of the crisis of royal power, the Assyrian fathers came to Iberia and settled near Mtskheta. From there they then dispersed throughout the country, and David, the future David of Gareji, settled in a cave on the mountain (Mtatsminda) near Tbilisi. Once a week he walked down the mountain along a path (now Besiki Street) to approximately the modern Marriott Hotel and from there he walked into the city to buy groceries. At this time, quite a lot of Persian-Zoroastrians already lived in Tbilisi. The conflict with them led to the well-known story of the trial of David and the appearance of the Kashveti temple on the site of the trial. After this, David went to Gareji, but his cave on the mountain and the spring near the cave remained sacred and revered places. And even the path to the cave itself became something of a pilgrimage path.
At this time, the endless Iranian-Byzantine wars dragged on and Iranian armies probably often passed through Tbilisi. In 591, the Byzantine-Iranian Peace Treaty (Treaty of Ctesiphon) was concluded. Part of Iberia with its capital in Mtskheta went to Byzantium, and part, with its capital in Tbilisi, went to Iran and became the center of Iberia controlled by Iran. It was probably at this time that a Zoroastrian temple appeared in Tbilisi, which has come down to us in a greatly rebuilt form and is known in the city as “Ateshga”.
Back in 588, Emperor Mauritius sent a certain Guram, a descendant of Vakhtang Gorgasal, as ruler to Iberia. Guram died in 590 and his son Stefanoz became the ruler, who ruled Iberius at the time of the conclusion of the Treaty of Ctesiphon. Probably his capital was Mtskheta, but then Stefanoz made friends with Iran and moved the capital back to Tbilisi. This man went down in history by building the famous Jvari Temple above Mtskheta.
Stephanoz's reorientation led to the invasion of the Byzantine army under the personal leadership of Emperor Heraclius II. The Khazar army came to the aid of the emperor, and the Persians sent a detachment of 1000 people to help Iberia. The Byzantines besieged Tbilisi and the siege lasted about two months. Then Heraclius went towards Iran, and the siege lasted for some time and eventually the city was taken. Stefanoz was removed, and Adarnase, a distant descendant of Vakhtang Gorgasal, was put in his place. He died in 642 and his son Stefanoz II became the ruler, under whom, in 645, the army of the Caliphate approached Tbilisi. The Arabs concluded a treaty of friendship with the city and left.
Capital of the emirate
The treaty of 645 made Iberia part of the Arab Caliphate. At first, kings still lived in Tbilisi and paid a small tax to the Arabs. This lasted until 735, when the Arabs suspected Georgia of collaborating with the Khazars, and Mervan the Deaf went through the country on a punitive expedition. Tbilisi was burned to the ground - this is the first recorded case of its complete burning. Mervan established the Tiflis Emirate in Transcaucasia and left. The kings still existed as pale shadows, imperceptible by history, until they disappeared in 775. Tiflis emirs began to rule the city. How exactly power passed from kings to emirs is unknown.
Under the Arabs, Tiflis became part of the Arab common economic space and rapidly grew into a large trading center. It became a large city with mosques, baths, palaces, madrassas and caravanserais. But the emirs decided to show separatism, and in 853 there was another punitive invasion. The commander Buga Al-Kabir turned the flourishing city into a heap of ashes. For the second time in its history.
Tbilisi remained the capital of the emir until the end of the 9th century, and throughout the 10th, and the entire 11th, and the beginning of the 12th. In the 10th century, the relics of Saint Shushanik were reburied on the Metekhi rock - right in the most prominent place in the Muslim city. Apparently, the Tbilisi Christian community had many rights. I wish I knew how much.
In 1795, the last destruction of Tbilisi took place: on September 12, the army of Agha Muhamad Khan, as punishment for the Georgian-Russian negotiations, razed the city to the ground. The stone buildings were almost undamaged, but all private buildings were burned to the ground. It took thirty years for the city to recover from this devastation.
Capital of Tiflis province
In 1802, the Georgian kingdom was liquidated and Tbilisi became the capital of the province and the main base of the Russian army. Since the anti-Russian uprisings did not reach Tbilisi, the situation in the city was stable. We started building something. Count Knorring, the first “chief in Georgia,” built the first simple house for the commander-in-chief. An arsenal and a gymnasium were built. In 1802, the fortress walls and towers began to be demolished, and so the modern streets of Pushkin and Dadiani began to form. In 1804, the royal baths were converted into a mint.
In 1807, there were already 16,000 people living in Tbilisi.
Tbilisi recovered very slowly after the defeat of 1795. The Russian administration built little. In 1816, General Ermolov demolished the royal Metekhi castle and began building a prison in its place. In 1824, the building of the Headquarters of the Caucasian Corps was built. In 1827, lightning struck the Narikala fortress and the explosion demolished the Church of St. Nicholas, built under Tamara, if not earlier. Local merchants were only able to build a large stone building by 1818: the Artsruni caravanserai.
In May 1829, Pushkin arrived in Tbilisi. It was something like the arrival of a fashion blogger to an as yet unpromoted resort. For the first time in Russian history, someone other than the military learned about Tbilisi. Pushkin lived in house No. 5 on Pushkin Street, in a house with windows overlooking the headquarters of the Caucasian Corps and could see the construction of the Zubalashvili caravanserai, which began in 1827. There seem to be no photographs of his house, but a drawing from around 1895 is known:
Capital of the Confederacy
In January 1918, the Bolsheviks dispersed the Constituent Assembly, which ultimately did not have time to decide the fate of Transcaucasia, so the entire region was left to its own devices. Transcaucasia became an independent federation, and Tbilisi became its capital. The Transcaucasian Seim in the building of the Vorontsov Palace became something like the parliament of the new federal republic. Tbilisi maintained this status throughout January, February, March, April and May. The federation collapsed in May. On May 26, Georgia declared its independence. Tbilisi became the capital of the Georgian Republic. The pen with which the Declaration of Independence was signed is now on display in the National Museum.
On June 10, the German army, allied to the republic, entered Tbilisi. A joint Georgian-German parade took place on Rustaveli. On the same day, the Turks tried to break through to Tbilisi, but were stopped by the Germans. In December 1918 the Germans left, and in January 1919 the British army entered the city. But in July the British also left.
Visually, nothing changed in Tbilisi; events took place exclusively in the political sphere. In May 1920, the Bolsheviks decided to seize Georgia: on May 3, the Bolsheviks rebelled in Tbilisi and seized the officer school. But the war with Georgia was lost near Kiev: on May 7, the Poles took Kyiv and on the same day the Bolsheviks signed a peace treaty with Georgia. But this only delayed the war by one year.
Battle for Tbilisi
In February 1921, the Red Army entered Georgia from three sides, in particular from Baku in the direction of Tbilisi. On February 18, the 11th Army approached the outskirts of Tbilisi: on the left bank of the Kura to the village of Karadzhala and on the right to the village of Soganlug.
On February 19, the first attacks began in the area of Soganlug station and at the Shavnabad monastery. The left flank of the Red Army began to bypass the city from the west and attacked the Kojori Heights. All these attacks were repulsed. On February 24 - 25, a second offensive began with the involvement of tanks and aircraft. The defenders of Tbilisi managed to repel all attacks on the Kojori and Shavnabad Heights, but the Red Army detachments bypassed the Georgian positions further and further. On the night of February 25, Soviet tanks broke through to the Navtlug station.
On the morning of February 25, it was decided to surrender the city. Soviet armored trains entered the Tbiisi station. Infantry units occupied the Kojori Heights and entered the city, going down Sololakskaya Street to Freedom Square. On the same day, the Bolshevik government moved to Tbilisi from Shulaveri.
Capital of the republic
The first years of Soviet power changed little in Tbilisi. The Soviet leadership still gathered in the same Vorontsov Palace; the Metekhi prison remained a prison, except that it had more work. Until 1931, the Soviet Georgian leaders were not radical enough and they would all be shot in 1937. But in November 1931, Beria led Georgia, and here the appearance of Tbilisi began to change: so Tbilisi experienced not only Vorontsovization, but also “Berization.”
The last days of the Soviet era were remembered for an eerie disaster: on June 1, 1990, a break occurred on the cable car line (Rustaveli-Mtatsminda), the lower station was damaged, and one cabin fell on a residential building. About 20 people died.
On October 28, 1990, an epoch-making event occurred. In the elections to the Supreme Council, the Communist Party received only 64 seats out of 155. On November 14, Chairman of the Supreme Council Irakli Abashidze left his post and Zviad Gamsakhurdia was elected in his place. The Soviet era in Georgia has ended.
Dogwood flag
In November 1990, Zviad Gamsakhurdia became the president of the country, and for a whole year nothing happened in the history of the city, and then something terrible happened: in December 1991, the National Guard rebelled and besieged the president in the Parliament building. A month of fighting for parliament has begun. Almost all of the surrounding neighborhoods burned out. The Oriant Hotel burned down. The First Gymnasium burned to the ground. The Marriott also burned down. The House of Communications almost burned down. Miraculously, the Kashveti Temple survived, although it was covered with bullet marks. For several years after this, the city center was similar to Stalingrad after the surrender of Paulus.
On January 6, parliament fell. The Kitovani-Ioseliani-Sigua triumvirate came to power in Tbilisi. But a province rebelled against Tbilisi: in this case, Megrelia. This is how the split of Georgia into Tbilisi and the provinces began for the first time. This war on attenuation continues to this day. In this war, Tbilisi took the thankless role of the capital of the post-Soviet dictatorship. Megrelia rebelled in January, March and July 1992. And again in September 1993. Tbilisi won the first war with the province.
With this victory, the most eventless era in the history of the city began. Some things were rebuilt: for example, the Parliament, the Gymnasium and the Marriott. But everything else gradually collapsed. The restaurant on Mtatsminda closed and was completely abandoned. On June 21, 2000, the cable car became unusable due to a broken cable. The Adjara and Iveria hotels were given to refugees in 1995 and turned into terrible slum high-rise buildings.
In November 2003, Tbilisi's second war against the province began: protests against election violations began in the city. Residents of Megrelia and Imereti came to the aid of the protesters. The main protest rally took place at Freedom Square. A parallel loyalist rally gathered in front of the Houses of Parliament. On November 20, Shevardnadze fled from parliament. The province defeated Tbilisi. This event went down in history as "
— 20€ per person. Circular route around Tbilisi on a double-decker red bus, the ticket is valid for 24 hours, you can get off at any stop (the route is in the description at the link)
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 Meidan 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 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 in 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, and 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 (suddenly 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?!
Tbilisi route for day 3
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
TOP-23 attractions of Tbilisi in 1-2 days
In the heart of the Caucasus Mountains is the city of Tbilisi (until 1936 Tiflis) - the capital of the Republic of Georgia. It is quite difficult to find on the world map another capital of a state with the same ancient and rich history.
According to legend, the city was founded by King Vakhtang Gorgasali. While hunting, the royal falcon grabbed a pheasant and, under the weight of its burden, fell into a hot spring. Both birds were boiled in boiling water in the blink of an eye. After the incident, the king ordered the founding of a city in this unusual place. But pragmatic archaeologists and historians refute this poetic version of the founding of the city and claim that Tbilisi has existed since the 4th century. AD, and this is long before the reign of King Gorgasali. But the undoubted fact remains that the settlement in this place arose precisely thanks to the warm sulfur springs, because in translation from Georgian “tbili” means “warm”.
Tbilisi, like many capitals of the world, is not only the cultural and administrative center of its country, but also one of the largest industrial centers in Georgia. The largest machine-building and metalworking plants in the republic are located here: machine-tool plant, aviation plant named after. Dimitrov, agricultural machinery, wine-making equipment, iron foundry, etc., as well as light and food industry enterprises.
Thanks to its versatility, Tbilisi will provide a decent vacation, full of joy and positive emotions, for people of different ages and taste preferences.
Climate
Tbilisi stretches along a long narrow strip along the river Chickens(Mtkvari) by Tbilisi basin almost 30 km, reaching the slopes of nearby mountains. The influence of the Black Sea is still felt here, because... The Greater Caucasus ranges run from west to east, so the climate in this part of Georgia is considered subtropical with long, hot summers (air temperatures can reach +40 ºС). Winter is mild with an average temperature of about +1 ºС, spring and autumn are warm and rainy. The greatest amount of precipitation falls from April to June.
Nature
Natural beauty is a source of pride for the Georgian capital. From almost anywhere in the city you can admire the mountain peaks and river Mtkvari, sparkling merrily in the sun and carrying its waters across the entire city. In the warm season, Tbilisi is literally surrounded by greenery and fragrant with the aroma of all kinds of flowers.
In the very heart of the city lies Tbilisi Botanical Garden. In the Middle Ages, there were royal gardens here, which after Georgia became part of the Russian Empire became the property of the state and received the status of a Botanical Garden. A river flows through it Tsavkisistskali, dividing the garden into two parts. There are several picturesque bridges across the river, and there is a forty-meter waterfall. Amazing plants were brought here from all parts of the planet: from North America and Japan, Siberia and China, the Mediterranean and the Himalayas. There is a unique collection of medicinal Georgian plants.
Without leaving the city limits, you can visit the sea. In the northeast of Tbilisi, adjacent to the Tbilisi National Park, there is Tbilisi Sea, more precisely the 9 km long Tbilisi Reservoir, created in 1952.
Three kilometers from the city at an altitude of 800 m above sea level there is a small Turtle Lake, formed by underground springs. You can get to it by cable car.
And, of course, speaking about the natural features of Tbilisi, we should mention the thermal springs, thanks to which the city appeared. Today this place occupies a block Abanotubani, there are world-famous baths that have been operating since the 16th century.
Attractions
To visit all the most beautiful and interesting places in Tbilisi, you will need to come to this amazing city more than once, and, without a doubt, everyone will find a place to their liking.
As a rule, sightseeing in Tbilisi begins with Old town, the historical center of the capital. The whole of it is built up with two- and three-story houses, twined with vines. Each house has its own story, funny and sad, fabulous and completely true, which a local resident you meet is ready to tell you with the readiness of a real guide.
In the Old Town on Mount Mtatsminda there is Narikala fortress(“Impregnable Fortress”), which is considered the soul of Tbilisi. The mountain offers amazing views of the city.
From the Narikala fortress, a hiking trail leads to the monument " Kartlis Deda”, which translated means “Mother of Georgia”. Then, according to a one-of-a-kind Betlemi staircase street past the temples of the 9th-10th centuries. you can go down to Zion Cathedral, built in the VI-VII centuries. AD Within its walls is kept the main Christian relic of Georgia - the cross of St. Nina, the enlightener of Georgia.
Anchiskhati― the oldest church in Tbilisi, built in the 6th century. ― received its name in honor of the Anchi Icon, deeply revered by Georgian Christians. This is the only building that has been partially preserved almost since the founding of Tbilisi.
One of the main attractions of the city and its symbol is Metekhi temple, which was once the residence of the Georgian kings.
Not far from the temple are the famous Tbilisi sulfur baths: Iraklievskaya, Kazennaya, Bebutovskaya and etc.
And, of course, it’s impossible not to look at the central street of the capital - Shota Rustaveli Avenue(Georgian poet of the 12th century). Dozens of city attractions are located on one street. This and National Museum of Georgia, And Church of St. George(Kashueti), and Opera and Ballet Theatre, and much more.
Nutrition
On the streets of Tbilisi you can find restaurants serving cuisine from many countries of the world: from Chinese and Indian to French and Italian. But, of course, nothing beats an authentic Georgian restaurant in the heart of the country.
Georgian cuisine is replete with all kinds of dishes: ojakhuri, khinkali, khachapuri, kuchmachi, pkhali, kubdari and other tasty, but not entirely clear names. Hospitable waiters will help you understand all their diversity and choose something exactly to your taste. National songs are played in many restaurants and dance groups perform.
Breakfast on the restaurant terrace In the shadow of Metekhi", from where you can admire the Narikala fortress and the Old Town, will set the tourist in the right mood for a fruitful walk around the city. Afterwards, if you get hungry, you can have a snack at fast food restaurants " Shemoikhede Genatsvale" Khinkali lovers should definitely visit " House of Khinkali"on Rustaveli Ave.
In addition to all kinds of restaurants, cafes and bars, you can sit quietly, drink tea and “digest” everything you see in small teahouses, and on a hot day, be sure to treat yourself to the most delicious ice cream in the city in the establishment Luca Polare("Polar bear").
Accommodation
Tbilisi hotels offer their guests rooms of varying comfort and price categories (from $25 to $370 per night). Large hotels are "Astoria", Holiday Inn, Grand Hotel, Betsy's Hotel and etc.
More than 60 hostels are open today for tourists in Tbilisi. The cost of living there ranges from $8 to $25 per night.
You can also rent an apartment for daily rent in any part of the city. The cost of renting apartments starts from $35.
Entertainment and relaxation
There are a huge number of museums and exhibition halls in Tbilisi. The oldest Georgian art is the creation of jewelry from cloisonne enamel. Museum of Art stores the richest collection of these jewelry. The treasures of the museum also include the cross of Queen Tamara and the famous Anchian icon. A real repository of objects of Caucasian culture is State Museum of Georgia. Silk Museum will also attract the attention of anyone who knows how to appreciate beauty.
People in Tbilisi love theater. Musical productions of Tbilisi troupes are extremely popular all over the world.
You can go with children to aquapark or visit the children's Mziuri town, where the frozen heroes of Nodar Dumbadze’s works live.
Night clubs ( Beatles Club, Roxana, City Club etc.) and bars that are open until the last customer leaves will captivate lovers of nightlife.
Purchases
In almost all large stores, hotels and restaurants in Tbilisi you can pay by credit card.
There are few supermarkets in the old part of the city, but in different corners of the narrow winding streets there are cute shops where they sell bread, cheese, herbs, wine by the glass and much more.
When leaving the city, do not forget about the need to stock up on all kinds of Georgian gifts for yourself and your loved ones. Cloisonné enamel jewelry can be bought on Rustaveli Ave., as well as in specialized stores ( Makhalaki, Presents and Souvenirs), in hotel lobbies Marriott And Radisson, and at the open market, where you can bargain. Real Georgian wine can be purchased in stores Benjamin's And Vinoteca. For paintings and souvenirs you should go to Dry Bridge. The best spices, Georgian cheese, churchkhela and sauces are sold on " Deserter» bazaar.
Transport
You can travel around Tbilisi by bus, minibus, metro and taxi.
Payment for buses, minibuses and metro is done using a special card - Metromani. You can pay in cash on buses and minibuses; the cost for one trip on any type of transport does not exceed $0.5.
The metro operates from 6 am to midnight.
Taxi fares should be agreed upon before the start of the trip.
Airplanes from leading cities in the world arrive at Tbilisi airport.
Connection
Many hotels, restaurants and almost all hostels offer free Wi-Fi. There are a number of Internet cafes on Rustaveli Avenue. You can also purchase a card from one of three mobile operators (Geocell, Beeline and Magti) operating in Georgia and use wireless Internet service costing from $12 to $18 per 1 GB of traffic.
You can call any country in the world from Tbilisi from pay phones that work using cards, as well as from post offices.
Safety
If you have any questions or difficulties, you must contact a patrol police officer. The officer will politely and competently resolve the problem.
When traveling with your own vehicle, you should strictly follow traffic rules and city parking rules; you should not travel in the dark. The city maintains strict control over maintaining order on the roads and streets, and violators are subject to heavy fines.
Business climate
Convenient conditions for doing business in Georgia lead to an increase in investment receipts in the country and, in particular, in the development of the capital’s economy. For example, the company Rezid Holding GMBH from Austria invested in the construction of a multifunctional complex, which will consist of two skyscrapers that will house beauty salons, cafes, spa and fitness centers, swimming pools, etc.
Business in Tbilisi, as throughout Georgia, is subject to the following taxes: profit tax (15%), personal income tax (25%), VAT (18%), property tax (tax rate is determined by local governments) and land tax (from 0.2 to 0.3 $ per 1 m2). Customs duties, depending on the category of goods, are 0%, 5% and 12% of the value of the goods.
Real estate
Today, the Tbilisi real estate market is experiencing a real boom. The construction of a new quarter of the capital, “New Tbilisi,” begins, which will include five zones: residential, commercial, recreational, administrative and diplomatic.
The conditions for purchasing real estate for foreigners have been simplified as much as possible in order to stimulate the influx of foreign capital into the country.
The price of housing in Tbilisi ranges from $900 to $2,000 per 1 m2.
Tbilisi is a wonderful, hospitable city that can give everyone the most vivid impressions. The best way to get around here is on foot. Only in this way, calmly and slowly, can you feel the color and originality of the city. To travel long distances, choose a taxi: in the person of the taxi driver you will get both a driver and an excellent guide who will advise which wine to buy, where is the best place to dine and from which point the view of the city is the most beautiful.
Almost all signs in Tbilisi are written in Georgian, therefore, in order to feel more comfortable in the city, you can learn the Georgian alphabet or at least make yourself a cheat sheet, and, of course, always remember that in a difficult situation you can ask passers-by and employees for help police.
In small shops and markets it is not possible to pay by bank card, so it is always worth keeping some money in cash in not very large denominations.
- the capital and at the same time the largest city of Georgia, located on the banks of the Kura River in the Tbilisi Basin. A noisy, cheerful, faithful to traditions and at the same time actively developing city with one and a half million inhabitants - this is what the modern capital of Georgia looks like in the eyes of travelers.
Tbilisi is especially attractive due to its rich history, which dates back centuries. You can wander endlessly through the quarters of the old part of the city, inhaling the exciting aromas of national pastries and admiring the ancient architecture of the local buildings. Over more than one and a half thousand years of existence, Tbilisi has managed to acquire so many historical attractions and cultural heritage that they would be more than enough for several ordinary cities.
Video: Tbilisi
History of Tbilisi
Officially, the history of Tbilisi is usually counted from the 5th century. The city was founded by the king of Iberia Vakhtang Gorgasali. An ancient legend tells that during a hunt, the formidable monarch shot a pheasant. The dead bird fell into one of the thermal ponds and was boiled. This fact struck Gorgasali so much that he ordered to found a city on this place and call it Warm Spring (in the local dialect - Tbilisi). Historians are skeptical about this version, preferring to correlate the emergence of the fort with the ancient Roman era. During archaeological excavations in this area, the remains of ancient baths and mosaic fragments were found, indicating that the first settlements arose here in the first centuries of our era.
Since 626, Tbilisi was subject to regular invasions by Arab armies. Enemy troops robbed the local population and ravaged the city. Only in 1122, with the coming to power of King David the Builder, relative calm reigned in Georgia, which lasted a little more than a century. A short calm was again replaced by military invasions: for several centuries the city was alternately besieged by Arab, Mongol, and Turkish conquerors.
From 1801 to 1917 Georgia was part of the Russian Empire. During this period, Tbilisi gained long-awaited stability and the protection of a more powerful power. The city has grown significantly economically and has acquired numerous commercial and industrial enterprises. After the October Revolution. Tbilisi became the capital of independent Georgia, which it remained until 1926. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the city regained its former status as an administrative and cultural center.
Districts of Tbilisi: where tourists should go first
The Kura River is not only a geographical object, but also a water border that divides Tbilisi into two parts. Officially, the city is divided into districts: some of them are rich in various architectural monuments, and some are typical residential areas that are not popular with tourists.
The record holder for the number of attractions is the Old Town, also known as the historical center of the capital. By the way, it is on its territory that the legendary “sulfur baths” are located, which local residents are so proud of. From this part of Tbilisi it’s a stone’s throw to the area with the sonorous name Sololaki. The place is ideal for walking, during which you can admire the features of the local architecture. There is something to see in Avlabari. Historians suggest that it was from here that the construction of the future capital began. On the territory of the quarter are the Tsminda Sameba Cathedral, the palace of Queen Darejan and the ruins of an Armenian temple.
Another interesting area is Mtatsminda. There are few truly ancient buildings here, but there are plenty of entertainment venues, shops and restaurants. Chugureti will be of more interest to pilgrims who come to Tbilisi to pray and worship religious shrines. Most of the Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches are located here. People usually go to Ortachala to visit the ruins of the former city wall and the Church of St. Nicholas.
Sights of Tbilisi
The vast majority of tourist routes begin from the Old Town (Qala). It is divided into two parts: Zamokala - Upper Town and Kvemokala - Lower Town. Today this is the most romantic district of Tbilisi, which has preserved its ancient monuments and is not disfigured by modern faceless buildings. Narrow streets paved with bricks, clay houses entwined with grapes, impregnable walls of the castle of Queen Darejan - all these are integral features of the historical character of the quarter. It is in the Old Town that the subtle spirit of the mysterious East hovers. Arabic motifs shine through in architectural bas-reliefs and ancient frescoes, carpet patterns and aromas of dishes generously seasoned with tart spices...
Abanotubani is a place worth visiting, if not for the purpose of treatment, then at least for the sake of mental relaxation. Tbilisi sulfur springs have been known since the 16th century. Over time, the underground springs were covered with stone domes made in the Arabic style. So the healing springs turned into health baths.
Rustaveli Avenue
Rustaveli Avenue is not the oldest, but it has become a legendary place in Tbilisi, which definitely should not be missed. The one and a half kilometer avenue planted with plane trees is decorated with a fountain, next to which it is easy to find a monument to Pushkin, as well as the building of the Rustaveli Theater. There is also the National Museum of Georgia, which is worth a visit because of its scandalous and controversial exhibition dedicated to the “Soviet occupation”.
Walking along Rustaveli Avenue you can look into the Vorontsov Palace. An elegant white building in the Renaissance style appeared here in 1868 and was originally intended for the Tsar's governor in the Caucasus. By the way, the last resident of the palace was Stalin’s mother, Ekaterina Dzhugashvili.
Another interesting object on Rustaveli Avenue is the Melik-Azaryants apartment building. The gigantic structure was built before the revolution and was equipped with the latest technology. The basement floors of the house housed cozy coffee shops and entertainment venues. From the wall bas-reliefs of the building one can trace the tragic events in the life of the owner. For example, the plaster wreaths on the façade are reminiscent of the death of a rich man’s beloved daughter. The fate of Melik-Azaryants himself is sad. After the October Revolution, the building was nationalized, and the former owner was given a tiny closet in it. Today, this luxurious symbol of Tbilisi is gradually falling into disrepair. This is especially noticeable if you look at the house from the yard.
The avenue ends at Freedom Square. The place is famous for the fact that it is here that all sorts of political battles take place from time to time. If you are visiting the city for the first time, it would be a good idea to take a look at the former city hall building. It houses a tourist information center where you can get the necessary information about local attractions and a map of Tbilisi.
The most ancient Orthodox church in Tbilisi that has survived to this day is the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Anchiskhati is the second name). The laconic, austere building, designed in the form of a basilica with three naves, was destroyed and rebuilt many times. The most ancient part of the interior decoration of the temple is the altarpiece, which was created in 1683.
Metekhi
One of the oldest settlements on the territory of modern Tbilisi is located on the banks of the Kura River, on a steep, sheer cliff. The Metekhi region originated under the first Georgian king Vakhtang Gorgasal, who erected his residence in this very place. In those immemorial times, the very word “metekhi” was used to describe the area around the palace.
For several centuries, the main decoration of the quarter was the Metekhi Church of the Mother of God. According to legend, Queen Tamara herself came here to pray. The church faced a difficult fate: in the 19th century, the building was given over to soldiers' barracks. The Soviet period also contributed to the destruction. The last internal partitions of the church were demolished already in 1974, and an experimental theater was located in the building itself. Only in 1988 the temple was completely restored and returned to the Orthodox Church.
Narikala Fortress
It is still unknown exactly when this large-scale fortress complex arose on Mount Mtsatminda. What is clear is that already in the 4th century. the walls of the Shuris-Tsikhe fortification (the first name of the structure) successfully held back the onslaught of enemy troops. For almost one and a half thousand years, the fortress was periodically occupied by either Arab or Mongol armies, which could not but affect the appearance of the buildings. Today travelers can see only remnants of Narikala's former grandeur. Unfortunately, most of the fortifications have been irretrievably lost. But on its territory, the Church of St. Nicholas, built in the 12th century, has been completely reconstructed.
Georgian Betania
Founded in the 11th century, the Betania Monastery is one of the most successful examples of Georgian temple architecture. The building has been surprisingly preserved in its original form. What’s interesting is that the monastery remained active even during the Soviet era, although officially the monks were listed as caretakers of the church museum. You need to go to Betania to look at the ancient frescoes, icons and unique carved decorations of the altar of the monastery church.
The majestic temple appeared on the banks of the Kura River in the 6th century, receiving its name in honor of Mount Zion. Subsequently, the church building was destroyed by the Arab army, after which it was rebuilt. The Zion Cathedral houses one of the main shrines of the Georgian Orthodox Church - the cross of St. Nina.
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, the tallest temple in the country and the national symbol of modern Georgia, is located in the Avlabari region. This is a new building in Tbilisi, around which scandalous rumors still persist. There is an opinion that the temple was erected on the site of an ancient Armenian cemetery. The territory of the ancient necropolis was cemented, and the remains and tombstones were simply disposed of.
The first church on the site of the modern temple appeared in the 6th century. Six centuries later, the first cathedral was built here, named in honor of St. George, who in the middle of the 18th century. replaced by a new building. Today's temple is the result of restoration work in 1910. The inside of the building is decorated with unique fresco paintings.
Caravanserai Atsruni
The oldest “shopping center” in Tbilisi was built in 1818. It housed more than two dozen shops, as well as numerous warehouses. Today, in the building of the caravanserai there is a modest museum exhibition that introduces guests to the history of the city. The rest of the area, as before, is occupied by retail outlets.
Botanical Garden
A reserve with rare and exotic plant species appeared in Tbilisi at the end of the 19th century. Today the garden area is 128 hectares, on which more than three and a half thousand representatives of the world of flora grow. There are convenient paths on its territory, and there are several artificial reservoirs. Those who wish can take a break and relax on the benches located in different parts of this unique park.
A 156-meter suspension bridge over the Kura River connects the Old City with the areas of modern Tbilisi. In the evenings, incredible transformations occur with the structure. A multi-level lighting system turns the building into a fantastic installation, shimmering with a million colorful lights.
Food and drinks: what to try in Tbilisi and where to do it best
Hiking, trips, excursions and outdoor recreation - all this satisfies cultural hunger, but, unfortunately, does not fill the stomach. But local cafes cope well with this problem. Traditional dishes of Tbilisi, which can be ordered in any establishment, from a tiny eatery to a high-status restaurant, are khachapuri and khinkali flatbread.
There are many catering outlets in the Georgian capital, but not all of them deserve the authority of visitors. Among the locals, for example, the Kakhelebi restaurant is very popular. The small establishment is famous for its aromatic pastries and huge portions. Don’t be confused by the fact that the restaurant is quite small: the food here is excellent. Celebrities also like to visit Kakhelebi, so don’t be surprised if a “face from the cover” flashes at the next table. Excellent national cuisine and an amazing atmosphere await travelers at Gabriadze Cafe.
You can try traditional Georgian dishes prepared according to 19th century recipes at Barbarestan. The establishment is interesting for its authentic interior and high quality service. For a pleasant pastime, it is recommended to go to Tsiskvili. The restaurant with an interesting menu, intricate interior and rich entertainment program is located away from the city center, on Beliashvili Street.
Having lunch in a Tbilisi restaurant and not ordering wine is a sign of bad manners, especially since the wines here are truly wonderful. And if the drink is also served in a clay bottle, you can assume that you have chosen the right establishment. Although it is better to get acquainted with the local wine list in special cellars, like “Vinoground” or g.Vino. You can eat “cheap and cheerful” in the so-called dukhans - small taverns that the residents of Tbilisi themselves adore. You shouldn’t expect a special atmosphere from such establishments, but here you can try real home cooking: simple and satisfying.
An option for those who want not only delicacies, but also live communication is the Deserter Market. Stroll around the grocery aisles, gaze at the delicious pyramids of churchkhela, mountains of candied fruits, cheeses, nuts and spices, and then buy what you like. By the way, it’s not forbidden to try a product “by heart” and bargain, so don’t be shy!
Shopping
Rarely will a tourist allow himself to return from a trip without gifts and souvenirs, especially since it is incredibly difficult to refuse shopping in Tbilisi. For standard shopping, large shopping centers, for example, East Point or Tbilisi Mall, are suitable. There are enough boutiques of European brands in the city. Their prices are usually inflated, so it is worth shopping only during seasonal sales.
Those who are interested in authentic souvenirs can take a stroll through the flea market near the Dry Bridge. It’s easy to get hold of unusual interior items, antique icons or ancient Georgian daggers (which in fact may not be that old). An interesting souvenir shop is located on Rustaveli Street. The quality of the goods in the shop differs significantly from market “analogues”, as do the prices.
You shouldn't leave Tbilisi without taking a couple of bottles of wine with you. To avoid possible disappointments, buy the drink in specialized stores, some of which are located on the street. Leselidze. Lovers of national jewelry are recommended to visit the Tbilisi Gold Exchange. This is where you can find the famous minankari. Well, for those who are concerned about searching for an original carpet, the direct route is to Caucasian Carpets Gallery.
Where to stay in Tbilisi
The issue of housing in Tbilisi is easily resolved. If your travel budget is unlimited, then you can afford a luxurious holiday in five-star hotels such as Ambassadori, Hotels & Preference Hualing Tbilisi, Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel. A standard double room will cost from 415 to 540 GEL/day. For those looking for more modest offers, three-star options await you: Flamingo Group Hotel, Rustaveli Hotel, Diamond Hotel. The cost of a double room in such places ranges from 62-125 GEL. Those who like reasonable savings will have to choose hostels and guest houses, like Envoy Hostel, Guest House Chubini, Blue Palm, etc.
Sometimes travelers prefer not to waste time searching for a suitable hotel and simply rent housing from the local population (an entire apartment or a room). This option has its advantages: you can always bargain with the owner of the house and lower the price a little.
When choosing a place to stay, it is worth considering that in Tbilisi, as in any other tourist place, the most expensive housing is located in the historical center of the city. Sometimes the price of a hotel room even includes a beautiful view from the balcony. At the same time, a room with windows facing the courtyard will cost significantly less.
Transport
Tbilisi has its own metro, which has two lines. To use its services, you will have to get a Metromoney smart card and, if necessary, top up its balance. The second common type of local transport is buses and minibuses. You can board the first ones at official stops, but minibuses will have to be stopped by yourself, with a wave of your hand. The main thing is to have time to do this in advance, before the car rushes past you.
In Tbilisi, the names of all bus stops and metro stations are written strictly in Georgian, without Russian transcription. So, when going on an independent trip around the city, it is better to check the route with local residents. The second option is to first learn the Georgian alphabet.
An option for those who can afford to fork out a little is a taxi. By the way, it is not customary here to equip your car with a meter, so it is better to agree on payment in advance. Feel free to bargain and argue: most of the drivers are local residents who simply earn extra money as a private driver.
Travelers who do not want to depend on city transport can rent a car. The service is provided by several rental companies (Geo Rent Car, Avis, Hertz, Luxury Car Rental), whose offices are located at the airport, as well as in large hotels. On average, renting a car will cost from 116 GEL. By the way, traffic jams in Tbilisi are a common phenomenon, and parking is mostly paid (2-3 GEL/day).
To get acquainted with the picturesque views from Mount Mtatsminda, it is better to take the funicular. This vehicle appeared in Tbilisi back in 1903 and is a unique landmark of the city.
How to get there
There are two ways to get to the capital of Georgia - by plane and by bus. Tbilisi is connected to Moscow by regular direct flights from Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo. Transportation is carried out by Georgian Airways, Aeroflot and S7. On average, the flight takes just over two and a half hours.
Connecting flights (with transfers) are offered by Russian S7, Latvian Air Baltic, Greek Ellinair and Belarusian Belavia. You can go to Tbilisi not only from Moscow, but also from St. Petersburg. Departures from the Northern capital are carried out by Aeroflot, LOT Polish Airlines, Belavia and S7. Travel time is 6 hours or more.
Once a week a bus leaves from Moscow to Tbilisi. The trip takes about 36 hours excluding stops.
Calendar of low prices for air tickets
in contact with facebook twitter