There is a song “Tbilisi in the rain” it was released in 2002. Since I heard this song, I started dreaming about visiting Tbilisi. The time passed. The song has gone away from TV, radio and even my playlist. The dream has also passed away.
11 years later the dream came back again. I was happy to visit Tbilisi on our way to Turkey. Tbilisi is very beautiful and magnifying. I will try to show you the city and its atmosphere.
The streets are very narrow. Sometimes it feels like you’re lost in cosy and attractive labyrinth.
Couple days before new year. Everything is diligently decored.
Freedom Square
GPS coordinates for Garmin/Navitel: N41.693396, E44.801497
The monument on Freedom Square is decored to be a Cristmas Tree 🙂
Bridge of Peace
GPS coordinates for Garmin/Navitel: N41.693031, E44.808286
There are some places that must be visited by everyone coming to Tbilisi. One of them is a beautiful foot bridge located in the center of the city.
The bridge connects old center and Rike Park that is located on the other side of Mtkvari river. There is a rope-way in the middle of the park.
The rope-way can bring you to Mtsaminda mount. From the top of it, you can see picturesque views of the city.
Narikala Fortress
GPS coordinates for Garmin/Navitel: N41.687909, E44.8089579
This sacred mountain contains ruins of one of the most famous historical monuments of Tbilisi. Ruins of Narikala Fortress. The fortress is said to be “the heart and the soul of the city”. No one knows the certain date of building of this monument. It is generally assumed that first constructions on its territory were built in the 4th century AD. The initial name of the fortress was Shuris-Tsikhe (“Invidious Fortress”). Later, at the time of Mongolian Invasion, the name was changed to “Narin Qala” (“Little Fortress”). There is a fortress with same name in Derbent, Russia. The fortress was growing together with the city in 7-11 centuries. Its walls were so long that reached Mtkvari river. So this fortress was guarding one of the branches of the Silk Road that was going along Mtkvari River bank.
Just take a look on this majestic fortress.
And it is even more beautiful in the evening.
Narikala was protected well by its location in mountains. But anyway it conquested, destroyed and rebuilt several times. For the last time it was destroyed by earthquake in 1827. The fortress was heavily damaged and was not rebuilt since that time.
Let’s have a little walk inside the fortress. There is a small parking for visitors right near the entrance.
Right on this parking, there is a viewpoint that opens scenic view to a river running down in a deep canyon.
Let’s walk along the wall…
It is a wonderful place for walking with your family and friends. Fresh air, scenic views and even a playground that can be used not only by children, but also by their parents 🙂
Let’s go to the outer side.
There are a lot of tourists here. Even in the winter.
Let’s climb a little higher…
… and find an exciting view!
Sioni Cathedral
GPS coordinates for Garmin/Navitel: N41.6913678, E44.8076134
One more place that is worth visiting is Sioni Cathedral. It is named after Jerusalem’s Zion (or Sion).
No one knows the date of cathedral’s foundation. Some scientists suppose that it was founded by Vakhtang Gorgasali (the king of Georgia and founder of Tbilisi), others believe that it was founded at the time of Guaram King. The cathedral was finished in the first half of 7th century. During the years, the cathedral was damaged and/or destroyed by many invaders – mongols, persians, byzantians and many others. And even though it was rebuilt several times, its architecture didn’t change significantly.
There are many different paintings inside cathedral. Some of them were drawn in 17th century, some of them are modern.
There is a spring with a holy water on cathedral’s territory. But we were unlucky to taste it. It seems like it doesn’t work in the winter.
One of the most important relics of this place is Saint Nina’s (Saint Nino’s) Cross. We already mentioned it in our previous article about Georgia. She brought christianity to Georgia and established the first cross that was made of two grape vines joined by her hair.
Let’s walk along the city streets…
They are so magnifying!
Trinity Cathedral
GPS coordinates for Garmin/Navitel: N41.697498, E44.816666
And the last thing that we want to show you is a Trinity Cathedral (Tsminda Sameba).
The Cathedral is located on the left bank of Mtkvari river. It is the main Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church.
The Cathedral was built to commemorate 1500 years of autocephaly of Georgian Orthodox Church and 2000 years from the birth of Jesus. The Georgian Orthodox Patriarchate and the authorities of Tbilisi announced an international contest for the “Holy Trinity Cathedral” project. No winner was chosen at the first round of the contest when more than a hundred projects were submitted. Finally the design by architect Archil Mindiashvili won. The Cathedral was built within 9 years. It includes not only Cathedral itself, but also bell towers, a monastery, a clerical seminary and theological academy, the residence of the Patriarch, places for rest, etc. The Cathedral consists of nine chapels: chapels of the Archangels, John the Baptist, Saint Nino, Saint George, Saint Nicholas, the Twelve Apostles, and All Saints. Five of them are located in the underground part of the building that goes deeper then 13 meters down.
The painting of the murals were executed by a group of artists guided by Amiran Goglidze.
That’s all for today. Hope to see you soon! 😉
If you wish to dive deep into Georgia and its sightseeings, you can read our previous article!
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