About Sights – Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi

Designed by architect Archil Mindiashvili and constructed between 1995 and 2004, the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (Georgian: თბილისის წმინდა სამების საკათედრო ტაძარი) is commonly known as Sameba (Georgian: სამება for Trinity) and is the third-tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the world. The Sameba Cathedral is located on Elia Hill, which rises above the left … Continue reading

About Sights – Tbilisi’s Traditional Architecture

Tbilisi’s traditional houses, with their wooden and wrought iron balconies, are undeniably beautiful and one of the city’s best known historical features. Many of the houses date from the 19th century as much of the city was destroyed by the devastating Persian invasion of 1795. Closer inspection often reveals weathered beams, peeling paint and potentially … Continue reading

About Sights – Pastel colored houses and balconies of Tbilisi’s Old Town

Tbilisi’s Old Town (Georgian: ძველი თბილისი) is renowned for its picturesque pastel colored wooden and traditional brick houses with open, carved balconies. The houses are mainly 19th century as much of the city was destroyed by the devastating Persian invasion of 1795. Much of the Old Town has been restored under a scheme introduced by … Continue reading

About Sights – Tbilisi’s Old Town District

Tbilisi’s Old Town (Georgian: ძველი თბილისი) is one of the oldest parts of the city and nestles on the mountainside under Narikala fortress (Georgian: ნარიყალა). The Old Town is part of the Tbilisi Historic District and contains a number of officially designated monuments, churches, cobbled streets and picturesque pastel colored wooden houses with open, carved … Continue reading

About Art – Georgian artist Guram Khetsuriani

Georgian artist Guram Khetsuriani’s paintings of houses (he prefers old abandoned buildings) have attracted much praise. “If I see such an abandoned house or a ruin, I immediately imagine how life used to be here before. And although now everything seems to be dead here, I still can see people walking in the courtyard, working … Continue reading

About Architecture – The Bank of Georgia Headquarters

The Bank of Georgia headquarters (Georgian: საქართველოს ბანკის სათავო ოფისი) was built in 1975 to house the Ministry of Roads. Situated on a wooded site by the Mtkvari River in Tbilisi, the 18-storey building was designed by architects Giorgi Chakhava and Zurab Jalaghania and consists of a monumental grid of interlocking concrete forms built in … Continue reading

About Architecture – Contemporary Styled Restaurant at Sataplia

The stunning, contemporary styled restaurant at the Sataplia Nature Reserve in Tskaltubo district, near Kutaisi (Georgian: ქუთაისი), in Imereti region was designed by Georgian architects “TOURBILLION”. The Sataplia Nature Reserve was set up in 1935 to protect the five caves and dinosaur footprints found in the area. Sataplia means ‘place of honey’. The restaurant, together … Continue reading

About Achievements – Restoration of Kvetera Church

Kvetera Church (Georgian: კვეტერის ეკლესია) is located on the top of a hill within the remaining fragments of the walls of Kvetera Fortress near the town of Akhmeta, in Kakheti region. Built in the early part of the 10th century, it is a relatively small church built of local tuffa stone to a tetraconch design (four-apse cross … Continue reading

About Sights – Concert Hall and Exhibition Center in Tbilisi

A new concert hall/exhibition center is nearing completion in Rike Park on the left bank of the Mtkvari River in Tbilisi. Its designer is Massimiliano Fuksas, whose other works include the nearby Tbilisi Public Service Hall. Add it to your list of sights to see in Tbilisi! Photos courtesy of the President’s Administration and Tbilisi Government. … Continue reading

About Sights – New Life for Old Tbilisi

Tbilisi’s Old Town (Georgian: ძველი თბილისი) is one of the oldest parts of the city and nestles on the mountainside under the 4th century Narikala fortress (Georgian: ნარიყალა). The Old Town is part of the Tbilisi Historic District and contains a number of officially designated monuments, churches, cobbled streets and picturesque pastel colored wooden houses with … Continue reading