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GETTING AROUND
The best way of sightseeing Tbilisi is on foot. The best tour is perhaps to start from Narikala Fortress, and walk along the paths to the huge silver Mother Georgia statue (dating back to the Soviet period), and then back down to the old town. The best one can do here is just to wonder around and experience the charm of the old city.
The facades of the buildings are mostly decorated with wood, with picturesque sagging balconies and carved pillars – in fact, there is more of a feeling of old Persia than of a modern city to these winding streets. One clearly feels the mixture of cultures, where Georgian and Armenian churches stand aside with synagogues and mosques."Gogirdi" bathes are in old Tbilisi, and a visit to one of the several baths beside the old town is an absolute must. They have been one of Tbilisi’s main attractions for centuries, and they still carry the same faintly sulphurous tang that inspired the likes of Tolstoy, Pushkin and Alexander Dumas, the views are magnificent all the way, with narrow streets and beautiful old architecture. |
"Gogirdi" bathes are in old Tbilisi, and a visit to one of the several baths beside the old town is an absolute must. They have been one of Tbilisi’s main attractions for centuries, and they still carry the same faintly sulphurous tang that inspired the likes of Tolstoy, Pushkin and Alexander Dumas, the views are magnificent all the way, with narrow streets and beautiful old architecture.
Erekle II Street and Bambis Rigi street, with small museums, galleries shops and many beautiful cafes.
On the way from these streets to Sioni Cathedral, there is a bakery where it can be seen how Georgian bread is baked.
Walking up these narrow streets you will eventually find yourself in Rustaveli Avenue. Buildings here have incredible specific architecture, it includes the State History Museum with beautiful masterpieces, you will also find the Kashveti Church and Parliament building. Rustaveli Theatre
and Opera and Ballet Academic Theatre, Set about 100m apart on Rustaveli Avenue. No stay in Tbilisi is complete without a visit to one of these theaters – the Georgians have a long and proud tradition of stage performances. Not to mention numerous cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops.
From the Avenue take a funicular railway train to St. David s Church in Mtatsminda, to make your trip more informative, particularly for the Pantheon (poets’ cemetery)
CHURCHES
Cathedral of Holy Trinity is the largest monumental cathedral in Georgia. Its construction started in 1996 and still is not over. Main work is done and what is left is only to paint the walls, which are supposed to be new masterpieces of Georgian art. The Cathedral complex comprises 9 churches, 4 on upper level and 5 underground, all of them functioning independently from the main Cathedral. The Cathedral is surrounded with a beautiful wall. The Cathedral overlooks the city and the view of surroundings is incredible.
Address: Elia Hill
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is located in Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, a little town near Tbilisi which has been an important religious center both before and after Christening of Georgia. Svetitskhoveli means live pillar. A legend says that Christ’s robe was buried here and when people decided to build a church on this place, they dug the wooden columns, but on the place where the cloth was buried a pillar appeared, hung up in the air. The wooden church was built in the 6th century, and the construction as it looks now dates back to the 11th. The architectural design of the building is very special as it implies a cross and a dome with sixteen windows. Many Kings are buried here. The powerful impression on the first visit to this place is unforgettable.
Sioni Cathedral is located by the river close to Metetkhi Bridge, and is one of the ancient monuments of the city. It has been restored and reconstructed many times because of numerous invasions. For a long period it served as a main cathedral. Originally built in the 5th century, shortly after the conversion of Georgia to Christianity, this relatively small but picturesque church epitomizes the spirit of Georgia. The walls are covered with frescoes and the mellifluous strains of practicing choirs are an added enhancement.
Address: 4 Sioni Str.
Kashveti Church is located on Rustaveli Avenue in front of the Parliament Building and has the dominant place for architecture and design. This relatively new church is a replica of the much older Samtavisi Church (1030), a noted example of Georgian medieval architecture. Historically this is one of the important buildings, which faced many difficulties over centuries; it was destroyed several times by invaders. It had to undergo a fundamental reconstruction in 18th century, and for th lest time it was renovated in 1991. The church is a two level construction with beautiful paintings on the altar and walls.
Address: 12, Shota Rustaveli Ave.
Anchiskhati Church is the most ancient relic of the past. Built of stone in the 5th century, it is a masterpiece of ancient architecture and reflects the style of Christian religion; its walls have been repainted for several times, but 18th century frescoes are still visible here. The church was named after the icon brought from Anchi Cathedral in Klarjeti. The icon itself is the best specimen of encaustic technique in medieval painting. The church is located on the right side of the Ruiver Mtkvari.
Address: 19, Ioane Shavteli Str.
Metekhi Church is located on the hill overlooking the river, built in 1289 year by King Demetre II. In front of the church is Statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali who founded Tbilisi. This church faced many wars and fires, and was used for many purposes by the conquerors, but now it functions as a church and a place of worship.
Address: 1, Metekhi Ascent
Jvari Monastery (“jvari” meaning cross) is a beautiful building on top of the hill in Mtskheta, overlooking the place where two rivers flow into one another. This cross-shaped church has played an important role in the history of Georgian architecture, and is considered a masterpiece of world significance. It dates back to the 6th century. It is surrounded by a beautiful wall, and the facade is made of pink stone.
St. Nicholas Church is in Narikala Castle, in Old Tbilisi, located on a ridge overlooking the city. Narikala is the Muslim name for ‘main castle’. Tbilisi preserved many of its majestic architectural complexes of the feudal times, among them is this citadel. Historically this castle was a hiding place for the kings during the wars. In the 20th century during the excavation, archeologists found the walls and groundwork of Narikala fortress.
Address: 3, Vezirov str. Narikhala
Mama David Church. Picturesque Mountain Mtatsminda rises over the city from the west and dominates it. On the steep slopes of the mountain there are two churches of St. David. According to tradition, St. David, one of the thirteen Syrian missionaries, who came to Georgia in the 6th century, settled here and built a chapel. The church, as it looks today was built in 1542, but was later abandoned, to be reconstructed and enlarged in the 18th century. The Church owes its significance not only to its architecture and paintings, but also to the churchyard cemetery. It is the Pantheon where famous people of Georgia, writers and public figures are buried.
This place has the magnificent quietness and piece and the view from this place is unforgettable.
Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul the Apostles was built in 1870, in Kukia district.
Address: 55, Ivane Javakhishvili Str.
Catholic Church of Virgin Mary's Ascension is located in Old Tbilisi since the 13th century. During the reign of George V of Georgia, Pope John XXVII transferred the chair catholic episcopacy from Smyrna to Tbilisi. Chorus in this church was always original with 4 and 5 voices.
Address: 4/2, Gia Abesadze Str.
The Synagogue was built in early 20th century.
Address: 45/57, Konstantine Leselidze Str.
Avlabari Echmiadzin Church (Gregorian) was built by Armenians in XVIII century, located in Old Tbilisi.
Address: 3, Armazi Blind Alley
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