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    Tourist Attractions in Tbilisi

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Tbilisi. Photos and a brief description.

    Tbilisi
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    About Tbilisi

    Bright and original Tbilisi can surprise tourists with its rich history, picturesque ancient architecture and extraordinary traditions of hospitality, which have been observed here for hundreds of years. The city has another side – it is the outlines of the Bridge of Peace and the Theater of Music and Drama, modern amusement parks that meet the highest quality standards, as well as museums with current expositions, boldly looking into the future.

    After a walk through the old quarters of Tbilisi, tourists are happy to taste excellent Georgian wine in restaurants and enjoy savory dishes of national cuisine. The good nature of the locals is another advantage that speaks in favor of Tbilisi. Guests are always welcome here and will be happy to tell a lot of interesting things from the historical past of the city.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Tbilisi

    Old City of Tbilisi

    The historical part of Tbilisi, located at the foot of Mtatsminda. On the territory of the Old City there are ancient temples, palaces, mansions built in the best traditions of Georgian architecture. Many buildings have been restored and adapted for restaurants, wine tasting rooms, hotels and souvenir shops. However, there is another, non-tourist part of the area, where dilapidated emergency houses are huddled, in which people still live.

    Old City of Tbilisi
    Rustaveli Avenue

    Rustaveli Avenue

    The central avenue of Tbilisi, stretching from Svobody Square to Rustaveli Square for 1.5 km. The street is the center of the cultural life of the city, many attractions are located here. The avenue was founded in the XIX century, the construction took place under the command of Prince Vorontsov, the governor of the Russian Empire in the Caucasus. Rustaveli Avenue is always very crowded, as this place is considered one of the best in the city for walking.

    Narikala Fortress

    The first mention of the fortress dates back to the 5th century. Since the VII century, it has been conquered more than once by the Byzantines, Mongols, and then by the Arabs. For a long time, Narikala was the center of the Georgian kingdom. A powerful fortification stands on top of a hill surrounded by steep cliffs, which seriously hindered access to the enemy during the siege. In 1827, as a result of a powerful earthquake, the structure was seriously damaged. Partial restoration was carried out in the 90s of the XX century.

    Narikala Fortress
    Tsminda Sameba

    Tsminda Sameba

    The Cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church, which was erected in the period 1995-2004. according to the project of A. Mindiashvili. Given the difficult times that came in Georgia in the 90s, it was quite difficult to allocate the entire amount from the state budget, so a significant part of the money was collected through voluntary donations. Tsminda Sameba is a whole complex, which includes a monastery, a seminary, the residence of the patriarch and a cathedral.

    Metekhi Temple

    The church is located on the edge of a steep cliff, which is located in the center of Tbilisi. It was erected in the XIII century on the site of the palace of the founder of the city Vakhtang I Gorgasali. Over the next three centuries, the building was repeatedly destroyed. The temple, built in the XVI century, has survived to this day. The architecture of the church is an exemplary example of Georgian temple architecture, which is characterized by laconic forms and the absence of decorative elements.

    Metekhi Temple
    Anchiskhati Church

    Anchiskhati Church

    The church was built in the VI century under the king of Dacha Ujarmeli, it is the oldest church in Georgia that has survived to the present day (taking into account the rebuilding and destruction of the XV-XVII centuries). During the Soviet era, the territory of the temple was adapted for a museum of folk crafts and an art workshop. Now one of the best choirs of Georgia is performing in Anchiskhati Church. Valuable icons are also stored in the building.

    Zion Cathedral

    Zion Cathedral was a cathedral until 2004. The first temple on this site was erected in the VI century, later newer buildings appeared, in which fragments of previous buildings were used. As a result, the facade of the Zion Cathedral turned out to be composed of stone parts belonging to different eras. The most significant shrine of the church is the cross of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to the Christian faith.

    Zion Cathedral
    Pantheon on Mtatsminda Mountain

    Pantheon on Mtatsminda Mountain

    A necropolis where important public and cultural figures of Georgia are buried. Scientists, writers, national heroes, famous artists rest here. The cemetery was established in 1929 just in time for the centenary of the death of A. Griboyedov in Iran. The remains of A. Tsereteli, S. Janashia, L. Gudiashvili, F. Makharadze and other famous personalities are buried in the pantheon. The first Georgian President Z. is also buried here . Gamsakhurdia.

    Flea market at the Dry Bridge

    Flea market and tourist attraction located at the bridge over the Kura River. The flea market is a cult place, every guest of Tbilisi should definitely look here. The variety of goods is amazing – they sell antique porcelain, chandeliers, Soviet posters, cameras and even rare sets of surgical instruments. The cost of some copies can reach up to several thousand dollars.

    Flea market at the Dry Bridge
    Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theater

    Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theater

    The theater is located in Old Tbilisi near the Anchiskhati Church. It was founded in 1981 by the playwright, director and artist R. Gabriadze. The stage is a chamber, the auditorium is designed for only 80 seats. The troupe constantly participates in international festivals and has already managed to visit many European countries, the USA and Canada on tour. The performances of the Puppet Theater have always received good reviews from critics.

    Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater named after Paliashvili

    The opera stage building is located on the central Rustaveli Avenue. It was built in the middle of the XIX century and, according to many contemporaries, was not inferior in beauty to the leading theaters in Europe. In 1874, the theater was destroyed by fire, after which a new building was erected, which now adorns the center of Tbilisi. Throughout the XX century, the theater was the center of the cultural life of the Georgian capital.

    Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater named after Paliashvili

    Georgian National Museum

    The museum is a whole network of galleries located throughout Georgia. The main branch is located in Tbilisi. The museum was founded in 2004, its funds include the collections of the Tbilisi History Museum, the State Museum of Art of Georgia, the Dmanis Museum-Reserve of History and Archeology, the S. Janashia Museum of Georgia and many others. The extensive exposition covers the time period from the IV century BC to the XX century.

    Georgian National Museum
    Tbilisi Ethnographic Museum

    Tbilisi Ethnographic Museum

    An open-air museum housing traditional Georgian houses and buildings collected from all regions of the country. The exposition was founded thanks to the serious work of the ethnographer G. Chitaya in 2004. The museum is located on a vast area of 52 hectares, its collection includes more than 70 houses and about 8 thousand historical artifacts. In addition to residential buildings, there are mills, wineries, a family tomb and an ancient temple on the territory of the museum.

    Sulfur baths (Abanotubani)

    The attraction is located in the Abanotubani district, which stretches along the bed of the Kura River. The baths were built on the site of ancient sulfur springs discovered during the reign of Tsar Vakhtang I Gorgasal, the founder of Tbilisi. The water in the baths is supplied directly from the ground. The buildings are built of red brick and topped with round domes with windows through which ventilation is carried out. Inside the baths are lined with tiled tiles.

    Sulfur baths (Abanotubani)
    Freedom Square and Monument

    Freedom Square and Monument

    The architectural ensemble of the square began to form in the middle of the XIX century, when the active development of Tbilisi began. During the Soviet era, the dilapidated buildings were demolished and the square renewed its appearance in accordance with the architectural traditions of that time. Nowadays, Freedom Square is a place of concentration of administrative and government buildings. In the middle there is a monument of Freedom in the form of a 30-meter column and a statue of St. George, designed by Z. Tsereteli in 2006.

    Monument to the heroes of the film Mimino

    The monument was created by the famous sculptor Z. Tsereteli, it was installed in Tbilisi in 2011. on the territory of the Avlabari district. Initially, it was assumed that the sculpture group was to take place on the Patriarch's Ponds in Moscow. The monument symbolizes the friendship of the Georgian, Armenian and Russian peoples. This is what the Mayor of Tbilisi said at the opening of the monument in the presence of a large number of citizens.

    Monument to the Mother of Kartli

    Monument to the Mother of Kartli

    The monument is a symbol of the national character of Georgia, in which many features are intertwined. The figure of Kartli's Mother symbolizes hospitality and, at the same time, readiness to defend against enemies. The statue was created in 1958 by sculptor E. Amashukeli to celebrate the one and a half thousandth anniversary of the founding of the Georgian capital. The first monument was made of wood, in 1963 it was replaced with an aluminum copy.

    Monument "History of Georgia"

    The monument is located 13 km from Tbilisi on the shore of the Tbilisi reservoir. It is a group of 16 columns with a height of 353 meters. Each column depicts a specific plot related to the history of Georgia or with biblical scenes. The sculpture group also includes the cross of St. Nino, the church and statues of wise men who contributed to the spread of Christianity. Sculptor Z. Tsereteli worked on the monument for almost 20 years.

    Monument
    Tbilisi Botanical Garden

    Tbilisi Botanical Garden

    The park was laid out in the middle of the XIX century on the place where the gardens of the Georgian kings were located – along the Legvta-Khevi River. After the territory was taken over by the Academy of Sciences, the planting area was significantly expanded. At the moment, the Botanical Garden occupies an area of 128 hectares. The plant diversity is represented by several thousand species, which are collected from all over the world and from different regions of Georgia.

    Turtle Lake

    The reservoir is located at the northern slope of Mtatsminda Mountain about 3 km from Tbilisi. Previously, turtles lived in these places, which is why the lake has such a name. For residents of the city, the reservoir is a popular place for outdoor recreation, quite a lot of people come here on weekends. Turtle Lake itself has a small size and depth, it is located at an altitude of 686 meters above sea level.

    Turtle Lake
    Rike Park

    Rike Park

    A city park on the left bank of the Kura River, opened in 2010 next to the Peace Bridge. On its territory there is a lot of entertainment for the whole family: children's mazes, a climbing wall for sports climbing, restaurants, a musical fountain. A grandiose futuristic Theater of Music and Drama has been built in the park, created in the form of a giant mirror tube resembling the powerful turbines of a spaceship.

    Tbilisi Funicular

    A cable car connecting the city center with the park on Mtatsminda Mountain. The system was built at the beginning of the XX century by invited Belgian engineers. In 1990, a cable break occurred, as a result of which 15 people died. In 2000, there was another incident with a rope break, after which the funicular stood abandoned until 2013. Now the updated cable car is functioning again. On the way to the top, the funicular makes one stop at the Pantheon.

    Tbilisi Funicular
    Mtatsminda Amusement Park

    Mtatsminda Amusement Park

    The park is located on the top of the mountain of the same name. Since the XIX century, this place has gained popularity among the townspeople, numerous inns have appeared here. In the 30s of the XX century, a park named after him was laid out on the mountain. Stalin, who became the prototype of the modern amusement park. Attractions, water slides, original sculptures, models of ancient castles, cafes and green recreation areas are located on the territory.

    Cable car

    The cable car was built in 2012, it connects the Old Town with the Narikala Fortress. The design is made taking into account the strictest safety requirements. During the trip, in the glass-floored booths, you can enjoy the picturesque views of Tbilisi, stretching right under your feet. The cable car quickly gained popularity among tourists and entered the list of the main attractions of Tbilisi.

    Cable car
    Bridge of Peace

    Bridge of Peace

    A modern bridge over the Kura River, built in 2010 by the architect from Italy M. de Luca and lighting designer F. Martin. The construction connects the old and the new part of Tbilisi, symbolizing the transition from the glorious past to a promising future. The length of the bridge is 156 meters, the width is about 5 meters. The structure is made in the style of "hi-tech". The bridge is equipped with a powerful illumination system and is covered with a glass dome resembling a fishing net.