Where to go in Tbilisi? It would not be difficult to answer this question if the city had a less saturated history. The capital of Georgia was founded in the V century. Like any other city that emerged in the early Middle Ages, Tbilisi experienced many glorious and tragic events.
In ancient times, power often changed here. The many-sided history of the Georgian city is evidenced by the variety of architectural buildings and cultural monuments. How long will it take to visit them all? Perhaps a lifetime. Where to go in Tbilisi? In two days you can visit only some of the attractions that are described in this article.
Ancient tiflis
The city, which is narrated by many legends and tales, is located at the intersection of trade routes from Europe to Asia. Once upon a time, even before the start of the Second World War, Soviet people called it Tiflis. The toponym came to the great and mighty from ancient Greek sources. Mention of the first people in the territory of a modern city are found in documents relating to the third century.
The fertile lands of Tbilisi greatly worried the rulers of neighboring states. Even researchers will not be able to give an exact answer to the question of how many times the city was ruined and burned. Fortunately, many buildings have survived.
Ancient cathedrals, dilapidated fortresses, quarters, the history of which began several centuries ago, terraces over the mountain slopes - all this is in Tbilisi. What to see? Where to go? This city has about forty architectural and cultural monuments, more than ten theaters. It’s hard to make a choice when it’s so big. We will name the most popular places among tourists.
Narikala Fortress
When asked about where to go to Tbilisi, an experienced tourist familiar with the history of the city will call first of all the complex located in the Old City. Narikala Fortress is mentioned in every guide. What is the old city? This is an area located in the southeast. Until the 12th century, Tbilisi occupied a small territory. Over time, expanded significantly. For obvious reasons, the most interesting buildings are concentrated in the area that arose at an early stage in the development of the city.
The history of the ancient city often begins with the history of the fortress. This is usually a dilapidated, mysterious, sometimes gloomy structure. When you visit it, you seem to be transported into the past. Few fortresses have survived to this day. One of them is located in Tbilisi.
A tourist arrives in a wonderful city, combining the architecture of various styles with picturesque mountain landscapes. And of course, first of all, he will ask the locals about where to go. In Tbilisi, any resident will advise Narikala. Even the one who was in an ancient fortress thirty years ago during a school trip.
Citadel Conquests
Tbilisi was captured many times, the fortress certainly suffered from this. It’s amazing that she’s still standing. The Caucasian people are warlike and freedom-loving. However, the history of the fortress casts doubt on such a statement.
In the VII century, it was captured by the Byzantines under the leadership of Heraclius. There were no bloody battles. There is an opinion that the locals surrendered the fortress almost without a fight. After several decades, Arabs arrived here. They remained for several decades and, possibly, added new elements of fortification to the fortress. At the beginning of the XIII century there was a Khorezm invasion. The city was almost completely destroyed.
Narikala fortress was once called differently - Shuris-tsikhe . This is a Persian word, and in translation it means " citadel " . There were, of course, the Tatar-Mongols , but according to historical sources, nothing special happened to them. Around the XII century, the church of St. Nicholas was built , but there was nothing left of it except the foundation, which can be seen on the north side of the fortress. At the right entrance is a fragment of stone carving, which arose probably in the 3rd - 4th century .
In the XIV century, the legendary Tamerlan headed for the Tbilisi fortress. Captured, reigned a little and set off for new adventures. A little later, the Turkmens tried to destroy Narikal - they almost succeeded. Everything that a tourist can see today here refers to a later period. In the XVI century, the fortress was in a deplorable state; later, of course, it was restored. In the 18th century, the Tbilisi citadel was already a pretty serious defensive structure. The last most significant damage occurred in 1827 - during the largest earthquake.
Where to go in Tbilisi? What to visit in the Georgian capital in the first place? Narikalu . But if you have only two days at your disposal, you should not linger in the fortress. There are still so many interesting places ahead.
Sights of Tbilisi: where to go
The most visited places in the Georgian capital include:
- Zion Cathedral.
- Sulfur baths.
- Metekhi rock.
- Betania .
- Tsminda Sameba Cathedral .
- Anchiskhati Church.
- Mount Mtatsminda .
- Jvari Monastery.
- Ethnographical museum.
- Botanical Garden.
- Street of Jean Chardin .
- Dry bridge.
It is a pleasure to walk around the city, especially along the streets of the historic center. The avenue, named after the great Georgian poet, acquires a fabulous appearance in the evening. About him and other streets of the old part of Tbilisi are described below.
Old city
Connoisseurs and connoisseurs of the culture of the Georgian capital strongly advise you to immediately go to the historic district upon arrival. Otherwise, in their opinion, one cannot feel and understand the beauty of Tbilisi. Where to go in the Old Town? You can just walk around the historic center. Narrow streets, two-story houses with carved balconies and small terraces, luxurious vineyards - this is what a typical Tbilisi landscape consists of.
Where to go in Tbilisi in the evening? There are many restaurants in the city. There are establishments offering European, Japanese and Russian dishes. But it would be foolish to visit Tbilisi and not taste the real Georgian dishes. You can touch the centuries-old culinary traditions of the Caucasian people in one of the institutions located on Jean Chardin Street. It is here, in one of the restaurants of national cuisine, that the true masters of Georgian cuisine work.
Shota Rustaveli Avenue - the main street of the city. It stretches from the metro station "Rustaveli" to Freedom Square. There are several theaters, museums, many shops, cafes and restaurants. In order to preserve the memory of the rest, tourists take photographs against the backdrop of attractions and traditionally purchase souvenirs. Where to go shopping in Tbilisi? Handicrafts, rare gizmos, various souvenirs and a large selection of magnets with the image of local cultural monuments - all this is on the market under the name "Dry Bridge".
Where to go with children in Tbilisi?
The child may also enjoy the standard tour. That is, a visit to the most famous sights, including the fortress, which is described above. But hours-long walks are tiring, not every child can stand them. Where to go with children in Tbilisi (Georgia)?
The city has many green landscaped areas. Near Rustaveli Avenue is the park " May 9 " . A little historical background. The park was opened back in the 19th century. Over its long history, it has changed names repeatedly, but the current one has nothing to do with the Great Patriotic War. This is a tribute to the victims of the tragic event of May 9, 1989.
Those planning to visit Tbilisi with their families need to remember the following names:
- Wake Park.
- Dadaena .
- "Bombora" at Mtatsminda .
The zoo is located on Kostava Street. There is another interesting place in Tbilisi where you can go with the whole family . This is the Botanical Garden, founded in the first half of the XIX century. About three and a half thousand species of plants are represented here.
Zion Cathedral
There are always a lot of tourists. The Zion Cathedral was built in the sixth century, but subsequently , of course, unexpected guests destroyed it several times. Local residents rebuilt and rebuilt the temple after another invasion. Today it is a rather unusual building, made in the medieval style. Over the long history of the temple, the appearance has changed significantly, but even what appeared during the last restoration is of interest from a historical point of view . After all, it was held in the XIX century. Here is stored the main shrine of the Georgian Orthodox Church - the cross of St. Nino .
Metekhi rock
In the historical center of the city, on a high rock, there is a temple, which is one of the main attractions of Georgia. It was built in the 12th century. There is a legend that in the fifth century Vakhtang Gorgasal - the founder of the Georgian capital - being here, on Metekh Rock, decided to build a city. A monument to this man was erected near the temple. Many tour guides believe that acquaintance with the city should not begin with a fortress, namely with Metekhsky rock. Upstairs is an observation deck, and from there a beautiful view of Tbilisi.
Sulfur baths
Tbilisi might not have existed if thermal hot water did not flow abundantly in the Transcaucasian pit, near the Kura River. In the eyes of King Vakhtang Gorgasal , the founder of the city , a wild bird drank from a source of water and was immediately healed. This is one of the legends that can be heard here.
Gorgasal, witnessing a miracle, ordered the construction of the city, which he later called Tbilisi, which is translated into Russian, means "warm." Sulfur baths were built much later - the first appeared in the XVI century. These are one-story buildings in oriental style. Tourists visit the Tbilisi baths not only to admire the architectural monuments, but also to experience the healing power of sulfuric waters.
Betania
This is a man’s monastery located 20 km from the city. Among tourists is very popular. The monastery was founded in the twelfth century. According to one of the Tbilisi legends, Queen Tamara often stayed here . A special detail in the architecture of the old building - murals that depict royalty and biblical subjects. Betania is located off the road in a mountain gorge. Usually visit the monastery as part of the tour.
Other temples of Tbilisi
Those who are even a little familiar with the history of Orthodoxy know that in Georgia there are churches that arose when Russia still did not know about Christianity. So, the Anchiskhati church was built V centuries before the Baptism of Russia. This is the oldest temple in Georgia. And Tsminda Sameba Cathedral is the largest. And not only in the country, but also in the world.
Tsminda Sameba Cathedral is a whole complex, which, however, cannot boast a rich history. Construction began in 1989, the opening took place in 2000. The creation of the largest Christian cathedral was not without scandalous history. They erected it on the site of the old Armenian cemetery. The remains that were discovered during the construction process were treated disrespectfully. This caused a wave of indignation.