Tbilisi was founded. Gamarjobat, Tbilisi! An exciting journey to the ancient capital of Georgia

Tbilisi is the largest city of Georgia, its capital. It’s not easy to describe him - he has too many characteristics and epithets. This is a very ancient, beautiful, with a complicated history, a surprisingly cozy city, fraught with a huge number of attractions and historical places.

The entire appearance of the city, its layout, architecture, cultural objects is a kind of mosaic, from which one can piece together a picture of amazing eclecticism and atmosphere.

City of contrasts and colors

There is not a single Georgian who would not be proud of the beauty and antiquity of his capital. It is believed that the history of Tbilisi begins in the 5th century AD. and it was founded by King Vakhtang Gorgasali. The name, according to an ancient legend, comes from the word “tbili”, which means “warm” in Georgian. In ancient times, the territory of these places was covered with dense forest, in which the king hunted. One day, the game shot by the hunter fell into the water and literally boiled before his eyes.

Realizing the value of thermal springs and the advantageous geographical position of this amazing place, King Vakhtang I decided to found a city and give it the name Tbilisi - “warm spring”. Until mid-1936 it was called Tiflis, under which name it appeared in Greek literature.

The very place where it is located is also unusual - in fact, the capital stands at the intersection of Europe and Asia and is crossed along its entire length by the Kura River. This determines the unique flavor of the city, an incredible mixture of styles, and the juxtaposition of European and Eastern traditions.

Today, the first thing that catches your eye is the urban landscape, represented by an incredible variety of facades of houses and buildings, often completely contradicting each other. The unique architecture is due to the fact that in different historical eras the city was ruled by representatives of other states - Arabs, Tatars, Persians. In addition, according to the testimony of numerous historians and writers, in the 18th century, despite the fact that it was the capital of Georgia, the largest ethnic group in the city were.

They made up more than 2/3 of the city's population, and at the beginning of the 19th century their number was close to 90%. This happened as a result of the destruction of the area and the extermination of its Georgian inhabitants by the Persian king Agha Mohammed Khan in 1795. Another nationality that makes up a significant part of the population, at different times up to 30%, were Russians.

Azerbaijanis, Turks, Greeks also lived here. Only since the mid-19th century, as a result of migration flows, the share of ethnic Georgians here began to steadily increase, and now amounts to about 90% of the population.

All these circumstances could not but affect the appearance of the Georgian capital, because each time the city architecture was filled with new forms and elements inherent in the culture of the conquering people. For the history of the Georgian nation, these were most often difficult and even tragic pages. In 1795, the city was actually burned to the ground by the Iranians; by 1801, only a few streets remained from it.

The most ancient artifacts of the Old City

The antiquity and unique character of Tbilisi are visible even from the photo. But a lively walk through the countless picturesque streets of the Old Town gives you the opportunity to soak in the special mood and spirit that sets it apart from all other capitals of the world.

Old Tbilisi is called that part of the city that is located within the fragments of the walls of the Narikala fortress that have survived to this day. The central part is Meydan Square. This is a real concentrate of the richest and most diverse, it is also called the “square of five churches”, since in this area, among other things, the most important temples of the main religions are closely adjacent.

The most significant sights of Tbilisi:

• Narikala Fortress is one of the symbols of the city. This is a defensive citadel, built on the top of a rock in the Sololaki ridge and towering over the entire city. According to some sources, the fortress was built by the Persians even before the founding of the city of Tiflis, long before the arrival of Vakhtang I. And the latest archaeological finds during excavations under the fortress indicate that there was a palace and baths on this site even earlier - in the 1st-2nd centuries AD .

The fortress was practically impregnable; it is believed that in the entire history of its existence, no one was able to take it by storm. Today, fragments of the walls of the fortress, descending to the Kura River, the Upper Fortress and the remains of the Lower City, the bastions of which were destroyed in the 19th century, have been preserved.

• The sulfur baths are undoubtedly one of the most important and favorite attractions of the capital. There are literally legends about them, the most important of which is that Tbilisi appeared thanks to them. Now this oldest district is called “Abanotubani”.

Structurally, sulfur baths almost completely replicate Roman baths; they only do not have rooms for heating water. They are simply not required - the healing water gushing from underground can reach a temperature of 50-70 degrees Celsius!

In the Middle Ages, baths were built in the Persian tradition - with roofs resembling domes, which are still preserved. During the heyday of bath culture, their number exceeded 60 units, they worked around the clock and were very moderately expensive. The most famous surviving baths, still in operation today, are the VIP Bath, Bath No. 5, the Tsar's Bath and the Orbelianovskaya Bath.

The healing process of visiting a bathhouse consists of taking a hydrogen sulfide bath for the recommended 15-20 minutes, after which the bathhouse attendants rub your body with a special hard mitten, followed by a massage using a pillowcase stuffed with soap balls. A very rich foam is formed, which not only cleanses the skin, but also gives a lot of pleasant sensations. After the procedures, you should rinse with hot water and, if desired, use the services of a classic oil massage.

• Church of St. Nicholas - located inside the Narikala fortress on Mount Mtatsminda. The exact date of construction of the Temple is not known for certain; it is generally accepted that it is the 12th century. By the middle of the 19th century, the church was completely destroyed. It began to be restored only many years later - by 2004. Only the old foundation was saved.

• The Artsruni Caravanserai, built in 1818, is the oldest surviving building and now houses the Tbilisi History Museum. Previously, there was a kind of inn there - with several dozen hotel rooms, stables, taverns and trading shops.

• Sioni Cathedral - until recently, was the main temple of the capital; it houses the cross of St. Nino, with which she brought Christianity to Georgia. It began to be built in the 6th century, but was repeatedly destroyed by Muslim conquerors - the Arabs in the 7th century, the Khorezmians in the 13th century, and the Persians in the 16th and 17th centuries. In addition, it was significantly damaged by an earthquake in 1668, and a fire in 1795. The temple has been restored and restored at different periods of history, and now it represents an unusual combination of various modern and more ancient elements.

• Anchiskhati Temple - Temple of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the oldest temple in the city and the second oldest in all of Georgia. It was built in the middle of the 1st century AD, by the son of Vakhtang I, Dacha Gorgasali. The temple survived the invasions of the Byzantines, Arabs, and Mongols without significant losses to its appearance. This can be explained by its low significance for that time. It was repaired several times and some elements were added by order of the Georgian Patriarch Catholicos Domentius in 1675, during the years of Soviet power in the 1960s.

• Armenian churches Surb Gevorg, Surb Gevorg Mughni and the largest of them, Norashen - the Armenian Gregorian Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin. It is assumed that Norashen was built around the 15th-16th centuries by the Armenian Sadat. Subsequently, it was also modified several times, and to this day it has retained the architecture characteristic of the 18th century.

Since the early 1990s, when churches began to be returned to communities before the collapse of the USSR, a serious conflict arose around this temple between the Georgian Orthodox and Armenian Gregorian churches. Each of these faiths considers the temple to be their own and wants to take it for themselves to conduct services. At the moment, the issue has not been resolved, the temple is not functioning, it is undergoing renovation.

• Juma Mosque is the only Islamic temple here today, built in the 18th century according to a sketch by the Italian architect Giovanni Scudieri. The mosque is unlike any other in the world; it combines neo-Gothic and traditional oriental elements. Today, representatives of two Islamic schools – and the Shiites – come to pray there, but until 1996 they were separated from each other by a special screen.

• Two operating synagogues are the Akhaltsikhe Synagogue, built with money from Georgian Sephardic Jews from Akhaltsikhe. And the Synagogue of Ashkenazi Jews, immigrants from Russia. Both of them were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Listing all the temples and historically significant buildings on the territory of Meydan and the Old Town is a difficult task. In addition to those indicated by us, there are also the Museum of Jewish Culture, the Museum of History, Kolkhoz Square, Palace Square, Khlebnaya Square, Gudiashvili Square, Pushkin Square, the Church of St. George, the “fire temple” of Ashtega, the Monastery of the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia, the Virgin Convent of St. Stephen, Temple of Our Lady of Bethlehem (Upper Bethania), where, according to legend, Vakhtang Gorgasali’s mother is buried.

In the old part of the city there is also the Mother of Kartli - a statue of Mother of Georgia, built in honor of the 1500th anniversary of Tbilisi, in 1958. The 20-meter-high monument was originally made of wood, but 5 years later it was replaced with an aluminum version. After the collapse of the USSR, in the early 90s, the statue was modernized, changing some details of the dress and headdress. Mother Georgia combines , symbolized by a cup filled with wine for friends, and belligerence for enemies, symbolized by the sword in her hand.

This part of the city is also home to the Tbilisi National, created on the basis of the royal gardens in the mid-19th century. It occupies an area of ​​about 130 hectares, the Tsavkitsiskali River flows on its territory with a beautiful waterfall, and 3 bridges are thrown across it.

Getting to the old town is very convenient by cable car. It is quite short, but saves a lot of effort and energy for tourists and local residents who decide to wander the streets of Narikala and its surroundings. In addition, from a bird's eye view, truly incredible, mesmerizing views of the city open up; it is beautiful both day and night.

Street life in the hospitable capital

The streets of Tbilisi are full of people, small companies always sit near shops, hairdressers, and small cafes. The most important value for local residents is communication. Now the population is no more than 1.5 million people, but, despite the rather impressive figure, almost everyone in the city knows each other, or each other’s friends. This is generally a distinctive feature of Georgians - to be keenly interested in the lives of other people, and to be aware of all current events.

This, by the way, is partly explained by the peculiarities of urban architecture. The entire old part of the capital still consists of the so-called “Italian courtyards” - one might say, this is the real heart of the city, in which its pulse beats. People live in 2-3 storey private houses for several owners, built in the shape of a square.

From the outside, only calm facades are visible, with decorations corresponding to the century in which they were built. There are wooden houses, with carved balconies, and there are brick houses, typical of the 18th-19th centuries. But inside, these houses actually form a closed space, with one gate and a common courtyard, in which life is literally in full swing.

The most important unifying factor is the sulfur baths of Tbilisi. In ancient times they were the center of all public life in the city. Friendly gatherings, holidays, even bride viewings took place here. To find out all the news, you just had to come to the bathhouse.

In fact, little has changed in the mentality of Tbilisi residents today. They are still very sociable and friendly, and will happily and sincerely help you in any situation. The Russian language is very common here, they love tourists and guests, they will always readily tell you what sights to see, and often they will even go with you, dropping all their business and conducting the most interesting excursion for you personally.

New Tbilisi – a symbiosis of modernity and antiquity

The center of the capital today is very dynamic and modern - the complete opposite of the ancient narrow streets of the Old Town. One of the most grandiose structures is the Peace Bridge, built on the initiative of President Saakashvili and designed by the Italian architect Michele de Lucchi. The opinions of Tbilisi residents regarding this building are divided; some residents are dissatisfied with its too eccentric and unusual design.

But nevertheless, we must pay tribute - the bridge is very impressive, especially at night, when it is illuminated by 30 thousand light bulbs and seems to float in the night air. Not far from the Peace Bridge is the Presidential Palace, also built on Saakashvili’s initiative. Nearby are also the Music and Drama Theater and the Exhibition Hall, designed in the form of two giant pipes.

At the foot of the bridge in the city center lies the modern Rike Park, full of unusual sculptures and installations. The park has many benches and seating areas of the most incredible shapes. It’s a pleasure to relax here with the whole family - there are several comfortable and safe playgrounds for children, an amphitheater for performances by creative groups, and a singing and dancing fountain with holograms. Part of Rike Park is also a stylish and laconic embankment, from which you can also get to the Peace Bridge.

The metro stations here also surprise with their modern appearance. The city acquired a subway during the USSR. The capital's metro consists of two lines and 22 stations. Traveling by metro is one of the most economical and fastest ways to get to the area of ​​Tbilisi you need.

A lot of useful and interesting information not only about attractions, vacation spots and prices for various services, but also about how to get to the capital can be gleaned from the program “Heads and Tails,” one of the episodes of which was filmed in this beautiful and ancient city.

Objects of culture and art in Tiflis

Tbilisi museums are a huge part of it. There are more than 60 of them, small and large, for every taste. Ethnographic, historical, archaeological, house museums, museums of painting and art, and numerous others.

If you are interested in buying antiques, vintage, paintings, as well as art and other rare items, then you should definitely visit the Dry Bridge, which can be reached through Lesilidze Avenue. Here you are simply amazed by the abundance of goods, and all of them are unique, rare and sometimes very valuable.

The capital of Georgia is known for its ancient theatrical traditions; there are more than a dozen theaters here. Among them is the Georgian Academic Theater named after. Marjanishvili, State Academic Theater named after. Rustaveli, the oldest Armenian drama theater, which is more than 160 years old, an opera and ballet theater, several drama theaters, and others.

It is impossible to count the monuments; there are hundreds of them. Every year the city is decorated with new monuments and sculptures. Among them, of course, monuments to outstanding public and cultural figures of Georgia from different eras prevail - the founder of the city Vakhtang Gorgasali, the famous poet Shota Rustaveli, King David the Builder, as well as numerous writers, architects, artists, etc.

Many poems have been written about Tbilisi and many songs have been sung; this city is imbued with soulfulness and melody. Anyone who visits this ancient beautiful city will forever be fascinated by its architecture, its atmosphere, its character, warmth and dignity.

And at the same time, you won’t be bored here for a minute - Tbilisi is very multifaceted, it is always full of energy and ready to open up from the most unexpected sides. The city at night will amaze you with millions of lights, in the light of which everything seems completely different, completely different from the images of the day. Walking here at night is very pleasant and completely safe. Numerous casinos, nightclubs, restaurants that will amaze you are often located in old houses, this creates an incredible contrast of ancient stone walls with streams of fashionable music and bright neon lights.

Be sure to plan a vacation to beautiful Georgia and be sure to visit its ancient capital, the most beautiful of cities. And then you will say about this city “beloved Tbilisi”, and you will certainly return here to continue discovering its inexhaustible treasures.

How to get to Tbilisi, its environs and regions

The Georgian capital is very welcoming, local residents love tourists and readily open their hearts to guests - a trip here will be unforgettable. There are several ways to get here from Russia - now there are regular flights to Tbilisi by planes and buses. If you drive your own car, you will need to cross the border at the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint.

The surrounding area of ​​the city is also full of interesting places. For example, the famous city of Mtskheta, where the main Orthodox shrine of Georgia, the Svetiskhoveli Temple, is located, is only forty minutes drive from the capital. Every guest of the capital is obliged to visit this completely unique holy place.

Today it is not difficult to get from the capital to Kakheti, a region unique in its beauty, a center of agriculture and winemaking. From the opening of the Gombori Pass, the road from Tbilisi to Kakheti will take no more than 2.5-3 hours

And if you want to go to the sea, then from the capital you can get to the Black Sea coast in 7-8 hours, to the main one - Batumi, or one of its suburbs.

Tbilisi (Georgia) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Tbilisi with descriptions, guides and maps.

Tbilisi city (Georgia)

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, located in the eastern part of the country on the banks of the Kura River (Mtkvari). This is an ancient city, founded in the 5th century, which is now home to more than 1 million people. Tbilisi is one of the most charming cities in the Caucasus, where amazing sights and unique treasures are hidden among the narrow atmospheric streets, cozy old courtyards and crooked houses. Despite the fact that Tbilisi has been destroyed and rebuilt several dozen times over its one and a half thousand year history, the old city has retained its medieval charm and, to a large extent, its original condition.

Geography and climate

Tbilisi is located in the center of Eastern Georgia in a basin bounded by the spurs of the Trialeti ridge, the Saguram ridge and the Iori Highlands. The climate is temperate continental with relatively hot summers and cool winters. Thanks to its proximity to the warm seas (Black and Caspian) and the Greater Caucasus Range, which blocks the invasion of air masses, Tbilisi’s climate is warmer than in cities at the same latitudes. The average annual temperature is 12.7 degrees. The coldest month is January with temperatures around 0. The average summer temperature is more than 20 degrees.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Tbilisi is from May to October. July and August can be quite hot. To enjoy Tbilisi without tourists, it is better to come in winter or early spring.

Practical information

1. Population - 1.1 million people.
2. Area - 720 square kilometers.
3. Language - Georgian.
4. Currency is Georgian lari.
5. Time - UTC +4.
6. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 360 days.

Story

According to legend, Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century AD by the ancient Georgian king Vakhtang Gorgasali. Already in the 6th century the city became the capital of the state. Interestingly, the settlement on the site of modern Tbilisi was marked on Roman maps. In the historical center, baths dating back to the 1st century AD were discovered, as well as the remains of ancient settlements from the 3rd-4th centuries BC. The name Tbilisi (formerly Tiflis) translates as “warm”, due to the many thermal springs.

Georgian legend tells that the territory of Tbilisi was previously covered with forests, in which the ruler of the ancient Georgian state, Vakhtang I Gorgasal, hunted. He shot a bird, which fell into a hot spring and was boiled. According to another version, it was a deer that ran to the source and was healed. The king considered this a “good” sign and founded a city here.

In the 6th century, the capital of the Georgian kingdom was moved from Mtskheta to Tbilisi. In 626, the city was captured by the Khazars after a months-long siege. In 653, Georgia was subjugated by the Arabs, although Tbilisi retained some independence for almost a century. In 736 the city was captured by Arab troops. Arabs ruled Georgia until the 11th century. In 1122, Tbilisi became the capital of a united and independent Georgia.

The heyday of the Georgian kingdom lasted until the 13th century. In 1226, Tbilisi was ravaged by the troops of Jalal-Ad-Din, and in 1238 it was captured by the Mongols, who ruled Georgia until 1327. In 1366, the great plague reached Tbilisi. From the 14th to the 17th centuries the city experienced several devastations and destructions:

• In 1386, Tbilisi was captured by Timur's hordes.
• In 1444, the city was destroyed by the troops of the Kara Koyunlu state.
• In 1536, Tbilisi was captured by the Iranian army.

In 1490 (after the collapse of the Georgian state) Tbilisi became the capital of the Kingdom of Kartli. In 1578 the city was occupied by the Turks. In 1783, Georgia accepted the protectorate of the Russian Empire. Tbilisi remains the main city of the country. In 1918, Georgia's independence was declared. The independent Georgian state did not last long and already in the 30s of the 20th century the country became part of the Soviet Union. Georgia became independent in 1991 after the collapse of the USSR.

How to get there

Tbilisi has an international airport - the largest in Georgia. The capital of the country is connected by air with Moscow, Riga, Rome, Vienna, Minsk, Tallinn, Kiev, Amsterdam and other cities of Russia, the Near and Far Abroad. Trains and buses 37/137 go from the airport to the center. Ticket price - 0.5 GEL. A taxi costs 20-30 GEL. Tbilisi has railway connections with Baku, Yerevan, Batumi, Kutaisi, Gori, Borjomi. Buses connect the city with most cities in Georgia, as well as cities in Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Public transport in Tbilisi - metro, buses and minibuses. A trip by metro and bus costs 0.5 GEL. Minibuses are a little more expensive.

Shopping and purchases

Avoid shopping and going to restaurants in the area of ​​Kote Abkhazi Street. This is a popular tourist area where prices are often greatly inflated. A large flea market is located near Freedom Square and is held every Saturday. This is the best place to buy antiques and various interesting things. The main market is located near the Dynamo Arena. Basically, people buy in Tbilisi: antiques, jewelry, local products (chacha, churchkhela, wine, cheese, mineral water). Shops with these goods are located throughout the historical center.

Food and drink

Georgian cuisine is tasty, cheap and versatile. In Tbilisi you can have a hearty and inexpensive meal. Traditional Georgian dishes: puri (bread), khachapuri (flatbread with cheese), chvishtari (corn baked goods), dzhonjoli (pickled flowers of some plant), badrijani (eggplant rolls), pkhali, khinkali, dolma, mtsvadi (kebab), lobio, chashushuli (stewed veal), chakapuli (meat with spices), churchkhela, chiri (dried persimmon). The meal is accompanied by chacha, a glass of Georgian wine and a glass of mineral water.

Abanotubani District

Attractions

The Old Town is the heart of Tbilisi. This area is located between Freedom Square, the ancient ruins of the Narikala fortress and Kura. Despite the fact that Tbilisi has been devastated several times throughout its history, the historical center has been preserved surprisingly well and has retained its special atmosphere and charm.

Old Tbilisi is an area of ​​narrow streets lined with ancient churches, ancient houses with cute wooden balconies and quiet courtyards. This ancient architecture is somewhat reminiscent of Renaissance and Italian architecture. The old town also features a number of eclectic attractions and modern architectural elements. The historical center of Tbilisi is full of hidden treasures and interesting places that can be discovered with a simple walk.

Narikala is one of the symbols of Tbilisi, an ancient Persian fortress built in the 4th century and expanded in the 8th century by the Arabs. The fortress is located on a high hill and consists of two parts. In the lower part, in the 90s of the 20th century, the Church of St. Nicholas, which is located on the same site where the ancient church of the 13th century was located. Most of the fortress was destroyed during an earthquake in 1827. The main reason why tourists come here is the stunning views of the old city and the Kura Valley. You can climb the fortress by funicular, which departs near the Metekhi temple.

The Metekhi Temple or the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the main attractions of Tbilisi. This ancient 12th century church is located on a cliff above the Kura River. Nearby is an equestrian statue of the legendary Georgian ruler Vakhtang Gorgasali. The first temple on this site was built in the 5th century. Presumably there was also a royal palace here. Therefore, this place is one of the oldest in Tbilisi. The old church was destroyed by the Mongols. The existing temple dates from the late 13th century. The building was damaged by fire at the end of the 18th century during the Persian invasion. The temple grounds were used as a prison in the 19th century, and the temple itself was almost demolished during the Soviet era under Stalin.

Mother - Georgia or Kartlis Deda - 20-meter tall aluminum statue near the Narikala fortress. It is a symbol not only of Tbilisi, but of the entire country. The sword in her hand is for enemies, and the cup of wine is for friends.

Sioni is the former cathedral of Tbilisi, which until 2004 (before the construction of Sameba) was the main religious building of the capital of Georgia. The first church on this site was built at the end of the 6th century. The temple was restored several times, destroyed by the Arabs and an earthquake in 1668. The Arabs damaged ancient frescoes and iconostasis. The existing structure largely dates from the first half of the 19th century.

The Church of the Holy Trinity or Sameba is a grandiose cathedral completed in 2004. This is the largest religious building in Tbilisi, 84 meters high, with a beautiful gilded dome.

Kashveti is an early 20th century church on Rustaveli Avenue.

Rustaveli Avenue is the central street of Tbilisi, named after the national Georgian poet. Starts from Freedom Square.

Freedom Square is one of the central squares of Tbilisi, located in the old city. Mostly surrounded by monumental 19th century architecture. In the center there is a tall statue of St. George.

Gabriadze Theater is a puppet theater located in the heart of Tbilisi. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city with a fabulous clock tower. On the facade of the tower there are hundreds of hand-made tiles created by Gabriadze himself. Every hour an angel comes out of the door above and strikes the bell with a hammer, and at noon and 7 p.m. you can watch a small puppet show called “The Circle of Life.”

Anchiskhati is the oldest church in Tbilisi, built in the 6th century under King Dacha Ujarmeli. The building was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The brick bell tower was built in the 17th century. The building is made of tuff and is a three-nave basilica with horseshoe-shaped apses.

The Bridge of Peace is one of the first modern architectural landmarks of Tbilisi, a glass and steel structure designed by the Italian architect De Luci. It is a pedestrian bridge over the Kura River.

Abanotubani is one of the most charming districts of Tbilisi, famous for its baths at natural sulfur thermal springs. In this area you can find many budget hotels, stroll along the old canal and admire the Narikala fortress.

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.

.

Last changes: 09/04/2011

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.

Last changes: 09/04/2011

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.

(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.

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, located in the heart of this mountainous country. Until 1936, this city was called Tiflis: under this name it can be found in literary works of that period.

Territory of Tbilisi

The total area occupied by the city is about 350 square kilometers. It, in turn, is divided into six districts: Old Tbilisi, where the main city attractions are located, including areas with characteristic medieval buildings, as well as the areas of Vake-Saburtalo, Abanotubani, Isani-Samgori, Didube-Chugureti, Gldani-Nadzaladevi and Didgori.

From a geographical point of view, the city is located in the Tbilisi Basin of the same name - an elongated depression in a mountain range, 7 kilometers wide and 21 kilometers long. The physical boundaries of the basin are formed by the Trialeti ridge, the Saguram ridge and the Iori Highlands. The formation of this basin is largely due to the flow of the Kura River, which passes through the city.

Despite the fact that the city lies in a natural depression, its altitude above sea level is still significant: in different areas of Tbilisi it ranges from 380 to almost 800 meters above sea level. The nature of the area in which the city is located determines its high seismic activity, and the absence of large bodies of water in the immediate vicinity of Tbilisi results in a dry subtropical climate.

Population of Tbilisi

The total population of the city today is quite significant - it is more than 1.1 million people. Moreover, more than 80% of the population, in terms of ethnicity, is of Georgian nationality. The second largest ethnic group living within the city are Armenians: their share exceeds 7% of the city's total population. The share of the Russian population in Tbilisi is about 3%.

During the years of the Soviet Union, the share of the population belonging to the ethnic Russian group in the city was significantly higher: it reached its maximum value, about 18%, in the 1960s thanks to the industrialization program, as part of which a large number of qualified specialists moved to the city. However, subsequently this source of replenishment of the Russian population group dried up, and it began to gradually decrease. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a significant part of the Russian population left Tbilisi, reducing the share of this category in its total population to 3%.

Tbilisi is not just the capital of Georgia, but also a typical city of contrasts. Here you can especially feel the diversity of buildings, local color and sincerity of people. Tbilisi has many within walking distance, beautiful surroundings, good and quite affordable prices. Public transport within the city is excellent: buses, taxis. Thanks to this, you can easily get to almost any part of the capital.

Despite many positive aspects, Tbilisi, like any other tourist place, has its drawbacks. For example, bad sidewalks in some parts of the city, exchangers with veiled commissions and stifling heat at the height of the summer season. But these little things absolutely do not prevent a huge number of travelers from all over the world from coming and relaxing there every year.

From above, Tbilisi no longer seems as diverse as it actually is. New buildings are hidden under the more familiar roofs and greenery of the city.

The city is ideal to visit at any time of the year- tourists will always find something to entertain and occupy themselves with. More details Read about the important sights of the capital in our separate article: We will not list all the fascinating places in Tbilisi again, we will only briefly indicate the most exciting for travelers.

One of the newest and most unusual buildings in the city is the Peace Bridge, essentially consisting of glass and steel.

Stores in Tbilisi: from a grocery supermarket to the equipment department

Grocery stores, supermarkets and bakeries can be found frequently in some areas of Tbilisi, although not as often as, for example, in Batumi. Their prices are affordable and the selection is wide. Those who come to the city for a long time prefer to shop at the market, where it is a little cheaper and you can also chat with the locals. Article for those who are interested cost of products in the capital:

The choice of equipment in stores is very diverse, and the price is slightly higher than in their native post-Soviet countries. Therefore, if you urgently need something small, for example, a card for a camera or a flash drive, then feel free to buy it here, you will lose practically nothing. We do not recommend purchasing larger equipment (cameras, laptops, etc.) in Tbilisi, as well as in Georgia in general.

Options for how and what to get to Tbilisi

The city has railway stations, bus stations and is approximately 15.5 kilometers from the center of Tbilisi. The most convenient and fastest way to get to the capital of Georgia is by plane. Depending on the chosen month of travel and the city from which you are going to depart, the price may vary enormously.

Our train from Batumi to Tbilisi looked exactly like this. The ticket cost 23 lari for about 5.5 hours of travel. To get to the nearest metro station you need to walk a few more minutes.

The main train station is quite far from the city center (see below). Passengers from other cities come here. In addition, they travel from Tbilisi-Pasazhirskaya to Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The first time we got to Tbilisi by train from Batumi. It was moderately comfortable (with free Wi-Fi and working outlets) and slightly cool (with the air conditioning on). The tickets were the cheapest (2nd class, according to 23 GEL GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
23 lari = 7.61 euros;
23 lari = 8.74 dollars;
23 lari = 580.06 rubles;
23 lari = 244.72 hryvnia;
23 lari = 19.55 Belarusian rubles.
Course and prices may not be accurate. per person). The train ran all night. The sitting chairs did not allow me to really relax and sleep properly. The option is worthy of attention, but not the best in terms of convenience: suitcases are stored in certain places of the carriage all together, you have to get from the station to the hotel or apartment separately (if it is very early or the weather is bad, you will have to additionally call a taxi).

Many people come to Tbilisi from other parts of Georgia by bus. The main bus station of the city is located in a convenient location, a few hundred meters away there is the Didube metro station. From Tbilisi station, there is transport in different directions (once we went from there to). It’s worth keeping in mind: in Georgia, minibuses are mostly old and worn out. Some offer passengers additional seats inside - on a side chair, or you can ride standing for several hours. Often luggage travels on the roof of the bus, tied together with other suitcases and trunks. The schedule is quite arbitrary: when the minibus is assembled, then it will depart.

Lately, we have been traveling to Tbilisi and other cities in Georgia. It turns out much more convenient and interesting. Often along the way, drivers offer to visit nearby attractions. For example, during a trip from Batumi to Tbilisi, we stopped in Uplistsikhe and Gori, and approaching Akhaltsikhe, we stopped in the heart and walked around the territory of the Green Monastery. In the car, each passenger is given a bottle of drinking water, and sometimes there are sweets and stronger drinks. The drivers are attentive and sociable. They stop upon request and help with luggage. An undeniable advantage of renting a car with a driver: you will be taken to the specified house, regardless of the time spent on the road and the weather. On our last trip to Tbilisi, ordering a car played into our hands - at the entrance to the city a terrible storm broke out with rain and wind. In some places in Tbilisi, water flowed down the road in a continuous stream up to the middle of the wheel. It’s hard to imagine what we would do if we went by train. Probably, I would have to order a taxi for any money. We rent cars with drivers on the website Gotrip.ge.

Transport inside the capital of Georgia

A very convenient universal card for traveling on public transport around the city of Tbilisi. Also suitable for cable car travel.

A tourist can move around the city in several ways suitable for him: by minibus, by metro, by taxi or by taxi.

For the first two options, it is advisable to purchase a special card and put some money on it. Then, using the card, travelers can travel on the mentioned transport and on the cable car, and at the end of the vacation, return it to the cashier and return not only the balance, but also its full cost.

For those who are interested: Details about the features of public transport in Tbilisi and

It is better to negotiate with taxi drivers in Tbilisi through the locals, otherwise you risk spending on travel an amount twice as high as necessary, or they will simply drive you in circles, increasing the mileage.

If you need to order a transfer to or from the airport, it is better. This option guarantees a fixed price without markups, as well as fast and accurate delivery to the desired location. In addition, the driver will suggest a good place for food and advise on delicious national dishes. You can order a transfer from Tbilisi to the airport using the active link (highlighted in blue).

Accommodation in Tbilisi: hotels and apartments in the city

To ensure that living in the capital of Georgia does not turn into an unpleasant surprise for you, we recommend that you choose housing in advance, and not at the last moment, and do not strive too hard to save money. It is worth understanding that Tbilisi is a rather ancient city with its own specifics. It has both old and new neighborhoods that may not have great attractions, cheap shopping, or a huge selection of restaurants nearby.

Our reviews about the capital of Georgia

A few personal impressions about our visits to Tbilisi: how do we remember the city? Is it worth going back there? What did you like most? We hope that our subjective opinions about the capital of Georgia will help you navigate and decide whether to go to Tbilisi or not.