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 – Dzveli Shuamta Monastery

Dzveli (“old”) Shuamta Monastery is located in a small clearing in the middle of a deciduous forest on Tsivgombori Mountain near the city of Telavi in Kakheti region. The Monastery got its name because of its location – “Shuamta’’ means ‘among the mountains’. Prior to their recent restoration, the churches were in a state of neglect. … Continue reading

About Events – The Flower Festival in Tbilisi

The Flower Festival (Georgian: ყვავილების ფესტივალი) in Tbilisi. The festival coincides with the Independence Day celebration (26 May) and is held in Sioni square and Shardeni Street in the Old Town. The streets are filled with beautiful flower displays. All photos courtesy of Tbilisi City Hall. CLICK on the logo to visit GEORGIA ABOUT on Facebook and see photos and … Continue reading

About Celebrations – Independence Day 2014

On 26 May 1918, in the midst of the Russian Civil War, Georgia declared independence and The Democratic Republic of Georgia was created. The flag of independent Georgia (Georgian: საქართველოს სახელმწიფო დროშა), also known as the Five Cross Flag (Georgian: ხუთჯვრიანი დროშა) was adopted in January 2004. The day is a national holiday and celebrations … Continue reading

About Events – New Wine Festival Tbilisi 2014

On May 24, the Georgian Wine Club hosted the annual New Wine Festival held at the Giorgi Chitaia Open Air Museum of Ethnography (Georgian: გიორგი ჩიტაიას სახელობის ეთნოგრაფიული მუზეუმი ღია ცის ქვეშ) in Tbilisi. The festival featured a wide range of wines from large companies and wine cellars as well as family wines from different … Continue reading

About Sights – Alaverdi Cathedral

Alaverdi Monastery (Georgian: ალავერდის მონასტერი) is a Georgian Orthodox monastery located near Telavi in the Alazani-River valley in Kakheti region. Founded by the Assyrian monk Joseph Alaverdeli, the monastery dates to the 6th century but the present day cathedral replaces a smaller church and was built in the 11th century by Kvirike III of Kakheti. … Continue reading

About Sights – Jvari Monastery

Built in the 6th century, Jvari Monastery (Georgian: ჯვარი, ჯვრის მონასტერი) stands on a mountaintop at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, overlooking Mtskheta, the former capital of Georgia. The monastery was built on the site of a large wooden cross erected by Saint Nino (Georgian: წმინდა ნინო) in the early 4th century. … Continue reading

About Celebrations – Saint Andrew’s Day

May 12 is an official holiday in Georgia and marks the day that the Apostle Andrew the First-Called arrived in Georgia, in present-day Ajara region. St. Andrew was the first of the apostles of Jesus Christ. The church tradition of Georgia regards St. Andrew as the first preacher of Christianity in Georgia and as the founder … Continue reading

About Sights – Georgian State Museum of Theatre, Music, Cinema and Choreography

Established in 1927, the Georgian State Museum of Theatre, Music, Cinema and Choreography (Georgian: საქართველოს თეატრის, მუსიკის, კინოსა და ქორეოგრაფიის სახელმწიფო მუზეუმი) is housed in a former palace built by German Prince Constantine Oldenburg in the late 19th century as a token of his love for a beautiful Georgian woman called Agraphina Japaridze. Recently refurbished, … Continue reading

About Sights – Ferris Wheel at Mtatsminda Park

The 80 meter (262 feet) Ferris wheel at Mtatsminda Park (მთაწმინდის პარკი) stands at the very edge of Mount Mtatsminda and provides spectacular views of Tbilisi from a height of 324 meters (1000 feet). This popular visitor attraction was opened in 2010 and offers a 15 minute ride. How to get there? Mtatsminda Park can be reached … Continue reading

About Sights – Djansug Kakhidze Garden

The Djansug Kakhidze Garden in Agmashenebeli Avenue in Tbilisi is named after Jansug Kakhidze, music director of the nearby Georgian State Symphony Orchestra for two decades.  Statues of Iliko Sukhishvili and his wife Nino Ramishvili, created by sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, stand at the entrance to the Garden. Together, they founded the Georgian National Ballet and it is … Continue reading

About Sights – Khudadov Forest in Tbilisi

Khudadov forest is located in Nadzaladevi District of Tbilisi and was created in 1893 on the initiative of Dr. Niko Khudadov, an ethnic Armenian and a member of Tbilisi Municipal Administration. The 40 hectare forest was officially opened in 1896 and was intended to be a recreational area for Tbilisi workers. The forest is populated with pine … Continue reading

About Celebrations – Dyeing Eggs Red for Orthodox Easter

On Good Friday, Orthodox Christians in Georgia dye hard boiled eggs a red color using the root of the Madder plant and onion peel. The eggs represent the blood of Christ and are placed on green wheat grass, which symbolizes new life, resurrection, and eternity. The eggs are blessed in a church and on Easter … Continue reading

About Architecture – Lazika Pier Sculpture

Completed at the end of 2012, the Lazika Pier Sculpture was intended to mark the beginning of the development of a new city that was to be called Lazika (Georgian: ლაზიკა). Designed by J. Mayer H. Architects the 31 meter high sculpture is located on Georgia’s Black Sea coast at the end of a one hundred … Continue reading

About Sights – The Egrisi Mountain Range

The Egrisi mountain range is a watershed ridge of the Inguri (Georgian: ენგური) and Tskhenistkali rivers situated in the Greater Caucasus Mountains in Georgia’s Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region (Georgian: სამეგრელო-ზემო სვანეთი). It reaches a maximum elevation of 3,173 meters at Mount Tsekuri. Forests of broad-leaved trees, such as oak and beech, grow on the slopes of … Continue reading

About Sights – Astronomical Clock in Batumi

Made in Germany, the Astronomical Clock in Europe Square in the city of Batumi (Georgian: ბათუმი) adorns the restored facade of the former National Bank building. A chime indicates the full hour, a single ring the half-hour. Apart from the time of day, the clock also shows astronomical information – the placement of the sun and … Continue reading