Tbilisi

 

Tbilisi, formerly known as Tiflis, is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mtkvari River with a population of roughly 1.5 million inhabitants. Founded in the 5th century by the monarch of Georgia's ancient precursor Kingdom of Iberia, Tbilisi has since served as the Georgian capital. 

 

Sighseeing:

 

Anchiskhati 

The monument is built in the Georgian architecture  style of the VI century and it was named after the icon of Ancha, in XVIII when the treasured icon of the Savior created by the twelfth-century goldsmith Beka Opizari (XII century) at the Ancha monastery in Klarjeti was moved to Tbilisi. It is presently on display at the Art Museum of Georgia.

 

Abanotubani

The social hub of the area is further south – Tbilisi’s famed sulphur baths, the Abanotubani. Alexander Duma and Pushkin both bathed here, the latter describing it as the best bath he’d ever had. Abano (Bath St) is full of subterranean bathhouses with beehive domes rising at ground level, most dating back to the 17th century. 

 

Metekhi

A historic neighborhood of Tbilisi on the left bank of the river Mtkvari. According to the legend, King Vakhtang Gorgasali erected here a church and a fort which served also as a king’s residence. Tradition holds that it was also a site where in the V century martyr lady Saint Shushanik was buried. The extant Metekhi Church of Assumption, resting upon the top of the hill, was rebuilt from 1278–1289. It was later damaged and restored several times. The church began functioning in 1988. Trinity Cathedral- The main Orthodox Christian church in Georgia. Located in Tbilisi, Elia hill was built in from 1995-2004. 

 

Narikala 

An ancient fortress overlooking Tbilisi and the Mtkvari (Kura) river. The fortress was established in the IV century. It was considerably expanded in the VII century and later, by King David the Builder. Most of extant fortifications date from the XVI and XVII centuries. In 1827 parts of the fence of the fortress were damaged by an earthquake and demolished. Narikala is a Persian word, the Mongols renamed it ‘’Narin Qala’’-which means ‘’Little Fortress’’. It is considered to be one of the oldest castles within Georgia. Narikala is often considered a tourist attraction by foreign visitors. 

 

Mamadaviti

Georgian Orthodox church is located in Tbilisi on Mtatsminda.  Mamadaviti church was constructed in 1859-1871. History of the church is connected with Davit- one of the Assyrian fathers when there was a small chapel. In the IX century there was a Church of the Virgin Mary. Supposedly, the monastery was founded in the X century in the same place. The terrace around the Mamadaviti church has officially been announced as a pantheon  of  writers and public figures since 1929.

 

The Holy Trinity Cathedral 

The main Orthodox Christian church in Georgia. Located in Tbilisi, Elia hill. It was built in 1995-2004 years. 

 

Sioni

A monument built in the style Georgian architecture, located in Tbilisi on the right bank of the river Mtkvari. According to Georgian historical annals, the construction of the original church on this site was initiated by King Vakhtang Gorgasali in the V century. Sioni Cathedral was destroyed and restored over the centuries. Many famous people of Georgian history have been buried there. One of the most important relics of the Georgian Orthodox Church–The Cross of St.Nino - is protected there.

 

Sharden Street

 

Mtskheta

The ancient capital Kingdom of Iberia is located approximately 20 kilometers north of Tbilisi at the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura rivers. It is located at 480 meters above sea level.  The city has been announced as a city-museum. Due to its historical significance and numerous ancient monuments, Mtskheta became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The robes of Jesus Christ are buried in Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta. 

 

Jvari Monastery

A sixth century Georgian Orthodox monastery near Mtskheta, eastern Georgia. Along with other historic structures of Mtskheta, it is listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Stands on the rocky mountaintop at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, overlooking the town of Mtskheta, which was formerly the capital of the Kingdom of Iberia.