T’bilisi Trip Overview
Dmanisi is one of the most ancient destinations in Caucasus. It was here, where most of the archaeological findings of first human beings were found. That fact was a great help for anthropologists to restore the image of the primeval colonizers of Europe.
This part of Georgia is very important because, greatly known Caucasian part of the Great Silk Road went through Dmanisi
Additional Info
Duration: 11 hours 30 minutes
Starts: T’bilisi, Georgia
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore T’bilisi Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting T’bilisi, Tbilisi, Georgia
Dmanisi is one of the most ancient destinations in Caucasus. It was here, where most of the archaeological findings of first human beings were found. That fact was a great help for anthropologists to restore the image of the primeval colonizers of Europe.
This part of Georgia is very important because, greatly known Caucasian part of the Great Silk Road went through Dmanisi
Stop At: Bolnisi Zion Cathedral, Bolnisi, Georgia
At 09:00, our guide and driver will meet you at the pickup place to begin our tour to the southern region of Georgia.
At 10:30, we will reach our first destination – cathedral of “Bolnisi Sioni “. Which was built in 478–493. It is the oldest extant church building in Georgia. Bolnisi Sioni Cathedral is known for its Georgian inscriptions. These are one of the oldest historical documents of the Georgian alphabet. Bolnisi Sioni’s decorative scheme was a Sasanian style. For the first time in Georgian architecture, at Bolnisi Sioni we meet relief sculpture images (bullhead, various birds and animals), which are related to the pre Christian era, however are assimilated by Christian Faith. At church, we also meet the Christian symbol, Crosses different shapes. One of the crosses (the cross in a circular frame with extended ending) is known with name of “Bolonian Cross”. We will stay 1 hour in “Bolnisi Sioni” and after, at 11:30, we will continue our tour.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Dmanisi, Dmanisi, Kvemo Kartli Region
At 12:30, we will explore historical and archaeological part of Dmanisi- place, where Europe’s oldest human skull was discovered, (The hominine site is the earliest of its kind outside of Africa, dating back to 1.81 ml years). You can visit museum to check archaeological excavations of Bronze Age settlement and see the 1.8 million year-old fossilized remains of the first discovered human couple in Europe whose names sound truly Georgian: Zezva and Mzia! You can also visit old city (VI-XV centuries) remains besides prehistoric site: churches, tunnels, wine cellars, streets and some other objects from middle ages. There is even panoramic view to Mashavera river canyon from the top of fortress. We need 2 hours to explore all sights in Dmanisi.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Dmanisi, Georgia
After visiting Dmanisi, at 15:00 we will have time for lunch. We will choose restaurant and taste Georgian traditional cuisine.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Dmanisi Sioni, Patara dmanisi Village, Dmanisi Georgia
After lunch, at 16:30, we will visit “Dmanisi Sioni” cathedral -which is an early medieval basilica located in the heart of the Dmanisi historic site. The church is dated to the 6th–7th century, According to the medieval Georgian chronicles, Dmanisi served as a burial ground to King Vakhtang III of Georgia, who died in 1308; the tomb have not survived. Later, both the church and its yard were used as a necropolis by the noble family of Baratashvili and their offshoot, the Orbeliani, from the 16th century into the 18th. To explore all historical sight of the church we need one hour. Therefore, at 17:30, we will leave “Dmanisi sioni” and went to discover a very beautiful and historical place of Kartli region, which will be last destination of the tour.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kveshi, Georgia
At 18:00, we will visit Kveshi medieval fortress, located in east Georgia. The fortress is built on a high cliff raising in the middle of the valley. The fortress exists probably from the previous feudal period. At the end of XII century, King Tamar gave the fortress to her loyal and faithful ancestors Torels to rule it. From this period, the Torrels family branch, who owned this fortress were called “Kvishelebi”. According a purchase document we find out that at this period the fortress was keeping its political significance. This probably was promoted by the fact that here were passing the important roads, and it was something like the custom service point. Kveshi stayed an important fortress until the end of XVI century. We will have one hour to explore this unique place. At 18:30, we will leave Kveshi fortress and head to Tbilisi city.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Shota Rustaveli Avenue, Shota Rustaveli Ave, T’bilisi, Georgia
We will come back to Tbilisi at 20:30, Evening.
Duration: 15 minutes
