Tbilisi Trip Overview
History of Tbilisi covers 1500 years from the date of formation to the present time. Story of the capital of Georgia is a blend of myths and facts. Because of its location on the crossroads between Europe and Asia, and its proximity to the lucrative Silk Road, throughout history Tbilisi was a point of contention among various global powers. The city’s location to this day ensures its position as an important transit route for various energy and trade projects. Tbilisi’s diverse history is reflected in its architecture, which is a mix of medieval, neoclassical, Beaux Arts, Art Nouveau, Stalinist and the Modern structures.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 hours
Starts: Tbilisi, Georgia
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Tbilisi Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Tbilisi, Georgia, Georgia
History of Tbilisi covers 1500 years from the date of formation to the present time. Story of the capital of Georgia is a blend of myths and facts. Because of its location on the crossroads between Europe and Asia, and its proximity to the lucrative Silk Road, throughout history Tbilisi was a point of contention among various global powers. The city’s location to this day ensures its position as an important transit route for various energy and trade projects. Tbilisi’s diverse history is reflected in its architecture, which is a mix of medieval, neoclassical, Beaux Arts, Art Nouveau, Stalinist and the Modern structures.
Stop At: Tsminda Sameba Cathedral, Elia Hill, Tbilisi Georgia
Holy Trinity Cathedral was built to commemorate the 1,500th anniversary of the autocephaly of the Church in Georgia and the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. The idea for a new commemorative cathedral first appeared in 1989 and was developed through a multi stage competition for the design that became the “Holy Trinity Cathedral”.On November 23, 2004, on St. George’s Day, the cathedral was consecrated by Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II and high-ranking representatives of fellow Orthodox Churches of the world.The overall area of the cathedral, including its large narthex, is 5,000 square meters and the volume it occupies is 137 cubic meters. The interior of the church measures 56 metres by 44 metres, with an interior area of 2,380 square metres. The height of the cathedral from the ground to the top of the cross is 105,5 metres. The underground chapel occupies 35,550 cubic metres. The height is 13 metres.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Metekhi Cathedral, Metekhi St, Tbilisi Georgia
Virgin Mary Metekhi church is located on the left bank of the river Mtkvari. The first church on this place was built by the king Vakhtang Gorgasali. Here, one of Georgia’s most beloved saints, St. Shushanik, was buried after she had been tortured by her husband when she refused to convert with him to Zoroastrianism in 544. Metekhi was captured and damaged during a Turkish invasion in the 17th century and reconquered and reconstructed by Herekle II in 1748. The present churchyard was long occupied by a castle which was ruined by Shah Aga Mohammed Khan in 1795 during persian invasion of Tbilisi and brought the final destruction of the palace. In 1958, to mark the 1,500th anniversary of the founding of Tbilisi, the equestrian statue of Vakhtang Gorgasali was unveiled next to the church.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Anchiskhati Basilica, Loane Shavteli, Tbilisi Georgia
This basilica is the oldest surviving building in the city dated from the 6th century.It’s named after the ancient and valued icon of Ancha, which was kept here for many centuries now it’s on display at the Art Museum of Georgia. Architecturally the church represents a basilica, which was typical for that time. The church has been repeatedly destroyed and then restored, some elements have been added and the construction has been changed unrecognizably. And it was not until 1958 that restoration which returned the original appearance of the building began. When inside the church one can forget that it is 21st century outside, it feels like you are in the past. All the icons in the church date from the 18th century.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater, Shavteli St., 26, Tbilisi 0105 Georgia
The Gabriadze Theater stands in the heart of Tbilisi’s historic Old Town. This beautiful building of the unique marionette theatre was designed by Gabriadze himself. Among the shows in its current repertoire are: “The Autumn of My Spring”, “Stalingrad”, “Ramona”, “Diamond of Marshal de Fant’e”.It was founded in 1981.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Sioni Cathedral Church, 3, Sioni Street Old Town, Tbilisi Georgia
Sioni or Zion Cathedral in the name of the Assumption of the Mother of God is one of the most known monuments in the Old Town . The beginning of its construction is dated the 5 th – 6 th centuries and the completion – the first half of the 7 th century. The Cathedral is named in the honor of Jerusalem Zion. The cathedral was completely rebuilt by King David the Builder in 1112. The basic elements of the existing structure date from this period. It was heavily damaged in 1226, when its dome was ruined on the order of Jalal ad Din Mingburnu.The Sioni Cathedral is a typical example of medieval Georgian church architecture of an inscribed cross-in-square design with projecting polygonal apses in the east façade. Main entrance is in the west side. The dome with the tholobate is supported by the altar wall and two freely standing pillars.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Narikala Fortress, Tbilisi Georgia
Narikala – the main mother-fortress of Tbilisi, is one of the oldest places in the city. The fortress is a composite fortified structure, which was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt during the history of its existence due to earthquakes or numerous enemy attacks. The fortress was significantly expanded by the Arabs in the 7– 8th centuries. Most of the surviving fortifications and structures belong to the 16-17th centuries. Inside the fortress there is the church of St. Nicholas (12th century), reconstructed in 1996. The inner part of the church is richly decorated with ancient frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible and the history of Georgia. Some parts of the castle were destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 1827. Nevertheless, the main walls of the fortress are well preserved, providing an amazing appearance of the city to this day.
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Tbilisi Great Synagogue, Leselidze St., 45/47, Tbilisi 0105 Georgia
The Georgian Synagogue is also known as the Great Synagogue. It was founded by Jews from Akhalzikhe, who settled in Tbilisi in the late 19th century. The synagogue was built with bricks, in an eclectic style, between 1895 and 1903 years.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Abanotubani, Abano St, Tbilisi Georgia
Abanotubani is one of the oldest districts of Tbilisi, it is known for its sulphuric baths
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Legvachtahvi Gorge, Botanikuri st 1 Old Town, Tbilisi 0105 Georgia
Legvtakhevi is one of the most historical places of Old Tbilisi. It is located in the southern part of the old town. Its name comes from the fig, as there were many fig trees on this area in the past. Legvtakhevi literally means “the gorge of figs”. It was first mentioned in 1429. This place was dividing old town’s two districts from each other. Now this area is part of Abanotubani.
Duration: 25 minutes
