Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital and largest city of Georgia, founded in the 5th century and located on the banks of the Kura River.  Tbilisi is the most important industrial, social and cultural center of Georgia. The city is also an important transit hub for transnational energy and trade projects.

Tbilisi's climate is temperate continental, with long and hot summers, warm and rainy autumns and springs, and mild and relatively dry winters. The best time to visit the Georgian capital is from early May to mid—October.The freshness of nature and the temperate climate make the trip especially attractive. Against the background of snow-white and pinkish flowers exuding a delicate fragrance, the still-covered snow looks surprisingly harmonious. Their peaks, bathed in clouds, pierce the blue sky and serve as protection from the cold winds located in the valley of Tbilisi.The measured rhythm of life, the abundance of sweet cherries, cherries, and greenery pleases the eye and lifts the mood.

The history of this amazing city stretches back to ancient times. Namely, since the 5th century, when the Georgian king Vakhtang Gorgasali ordered the founding of a city in the center of a fertile valley lying comfortably between two Caucasian mountain ranges. The city got its name for a reason. It comes from the word "Tbilisi", which means "warm". Indeed, the plain between Sololak Mountain and Metekhi Rock, where the city is located, is rich in warm sulfur springs. There was even a beautiful legend among the people associated with the founding of the city. Allegedly, Vakhtang Gorgasali and his entourage once hunted in the dense forests. Suddenly, a pheasant flew out from behind the bushes. The king sent a falcon after him, but both birds suddenly disappeared. After a long search, the birds were found boiled in a hot spring gushing from the ground. The astonished Tsar Vakhtang ordered the foundation of a city on this very spot. Tbilisi enjoyed a special flourishing period in the Middle Ages. At that time, it was also famous as a city of wonderful poets, and the genius of Shota Rustaveli and many others flourished here. And how many Russian poets have been inspired by this wonderful city! Pushkin called this city a "magical land", who was deeply shocked by the reception he received in Tbilisi. Lermontov's famous poem "Mtsyri", Griboyedov's immortal "Woe from Wit", Tolstoy's "Childhood", Gorky's "Makar Chudra" and many others were born here. And this is understandable: the city itself sets up a poetic mood. This is because the appearance of old Tbilisi is unlike any other city in the world. The combination of original architecture and natural beauty gives it a unique charm and flavor. Tbilisi stretches in a narrow strip along both banks of the Kura River. Its narrow, crooked streets run up the slopes and turn around the spurs of the mountains. And the houses, following the terrain, are located on the slopes of the mountains, in terraces, one above the other, tightly adjacent to each other. If you look at the city from the height of Mtzatminda Mountain, you can clearly see how the blocks climb the hillsides on both sides in tiers and huddle around rocky cliffs.

 The multifaceted history can be studied by its architecture, starting with the spacious Rustaveli and Agmashenebeli avenues and ending with the narrow streets of the Narikala district preserved from the early Middle Ages.

Tbilisi is located along the banks of the Kura River and is conditionally divided by it into an old and a modern city. The pedestrian bridge of the World connects both parts, with a length of more than 150 meters. Its steel structure is covered with glass, it undulates over the river, revealing a magnificent panorama of the capital. 

In Tbilisi, two epochs harmoniously exist side by side – ancient and modern. Each of them has its own attractive sides and attracts travelers with its beauty and uniqueness.

Since the beginning of the 19th century, the center of modern Tbilisi has grown - a New City with a rectangular grid of streets. Today, the appearance of the city harmoniously combines antiquity and modern features: modern high-rise buildings have grown next to temples of the VI-VII centuries, wide streets, parks, gardens, squares have appeared, majestic bridges have spanned the fast and full-flowing Kura River.

But the soul of real Tbilisi still lives in the Old City. The quiet charm of the crooked, sun-drenched streets of Tbilisi, terraces of houses covered with vines, ancient churches with tiled domes, ruins of ancient monasteries, traditional Georgian courtyards with whimsically carved verandas - it is impossible to resist this landscape. And a piece of your soul will forever dwell in this charming corner, just as you will forever take away a piece of Tbilisi in your heart.… It is in the Old Town that the main sights of the Georgian capital are concentrated.The Zion Cathedral, which houses the most important Georgian shrine, the cross of St. Nino. It was she who brought Christianity to the country.

 The oldest church in Tbilisi is Anchiskhati, built in the 6th century. This is the only building that has survived to this day since the founding of the city.Anchiskhati Church got its name in honor of the Anchi icon, deeply revered by Georgian Christians.

Narikala Fortress with perfectly preserved towers and the Church of St. Peter the Great. Nicholas. Abanotubani, a district of sulfur baths, is also located here. Low, squat buildings with neat domes and large glass windows are built in oriental style and named after their former owners. But the main thing here is not the architecture at all: inside, anyone can feel the healing effect of the hot sulfur springs, with the discovery of which, according to legend, the centuries—old history of the city began.Baratashvili Avenue with unusual sculptural compositions, the most famous of which depicts folk dances "berikaoba".There are many interesting places in the Mtatsminda area, built on the mountain of the same name. Not only is there the most beautiful panoramic view, it is one of the most important cultural places in Tbilisi – the pantheon of famous writers, artists, scientists and national heroes of the country.

 The central artery of the city is Rustaveli Avenue with the Parliament, the National Museum, various theaters, hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. It is home to the oldest building on the avenue, the Vorontsov Palace, decorated in the style of a Renaissance palazzo and surrounded by a luxurious garden. 

One of the most beautiful places in Tbilisi is a patch near the Rezo Gabriadze puppet Theater with the "Cafe Gabriadze" and a crooked clock tower. Every hour here is marked by the appearance of a figure of a golden-winged angel, who knocks on a bell with a hammer. And at 12 and 19 o'clock there is a whole performance with dolls - about the meaning and infinity of life.  In this place, you can meet Rezo Gabriadze himself, the director and screenwriter of many films, including "Mimino" and "Kin-dza-dza".

Avlabar is the area from where, presumably, the construction of the Georgian capital began. There are also unique cultural and architectural monuments here: Sameba Cathedral, built in 2004, the Holy Trinity Cathedral is called the symbol of the new Georgia. A cathedral whose beauty and size are breathtaking.

The palace of Queen Darejan and the ruins of the Armenian cathedral of Avetaran.

A must—visit place is the Metekhi district, located on the mountain of the same name. One of the oldest settlements on the territory of Georgia, the former royal residence, today it is perhaps the most picturesque place in Tbilisi. The Metekhi Temple of the Mother of God, founded in the 12th century, stands above the Kura River. According to legend, it was here that Queen Tamara used to pray. The amazing beauty of the nature, hospitable people and the rich history of Tbilisi are unlikely to leave even a seasoned traveler indifferent.A piece of your soul will forever dwell in this charming corner, just as you will forever take a piece of Tbilisi away in your heart.…