Article Tour of Tbilisi

In a small hotel on the outskirts of Tbilisi towards the airport, we are greeted by the rest of a wolf. We know that the impression of the city would not be complete if we did not visit its outskirts, so we start a tour right there: old houses, courtyards and quite wild vines everywhere.

Very soon we discover small shops and markets where locals go shopping. Everything looks very tempting and we soon find that it tastes good.

We climb Elia Hill east of the Kura River. There is a grandiose Sameba Cathedral, capable of accommodating up to 15,000 people. The whole complex includes the residence of the patriarch, the cathedral, the school of theology and nine chapels (5 of which are underground). The cathedral was built between 1995 and 2004.

After a tour of the cathedral, we descend to the city center, cross the river Kura and pass modern and old to historical buildings.

The Peace Bridge is for pedestrians only. This glass and steel structure is illuminated at night by 30,000 LEDs. The bridge is set to symbolize Georgia's „bright future“ and was completed in 2010. Another example of modern architecture is the two tubes of the concert hall, over which the Presidential Palace overlooks. We cross the Kura River again and enter Rike Park, from where the cable car leads to a great view of the whole city.

From the upper station of the cable car it is possible to go to the old fortress, or visit the aluminum statue of Mother Georgia. She stares at her beloved homeland, in one hand she has wine for friends, in the other she holds a sword against enemies. The statue was created in 1958.

On the other side of the ridge is a nice view of the old town, the fortress and especially the botanical garden, founded in 1625. The western part of the garden ends with a modern private residence owned by Bidzina Ivanishvili, former Prime Minister of Georgia.

We descend to the gorge Tsavkisis – Tskali, which is part of the botanical garden and there is a nice waterfall. From here it is just a short walk to an interesting neighborhood, historically known for its sulfur springs. There are currently five sulfur baths.

There is also a local mosque in the same district. It dates from 1895 and the Shiites and Sunnis pray in it.

We continue with a tour of the old town. Georgia is considered the cradle of vines and wine. Even today, in addition to modern methods, wine is also prepared in clay pots kvevri, buried in the ground. No wonder we find a large selection of local wines …… by the way, very nice.

The historic center of Tbilisi is full of contrasts and different people.

This street is a kind of backbone road of the capital. Along it there are a number of important buildings (opera, theater, museum, parliament). Nearby is a large park, in which we find a flea market: an amazing spectacle and excursions to the history of analog photography.

The magic of the local flea market is mainly typical local things and artifacts: for example, old samovars, or portraits of a notorious Georgian native.

We end the tour of the capital in Georgian style. The locals are known for their love to sing and also dance very well. Is it true.