While visiting Tbilisi, which has a European Old Town appearance, you may be fascinated by the mixture of Medieval, classical and Soviet architectures. The city, which has been destroyed and rebuilt 29 times to date, is an ancient crossroads between Asia and Europe. It is definitely a must-see place with its narrow winding streets, magnificent religious buildings, and wooden houses with old, crooked gardens and bay windows.
2nd day in Tbilisi:) Let’s continue where we left off with the places to visit in Tbilisi.
If you haven’t read Tbilisi Travel Guide Day 1, here you go 🙂
ANCHISKHATI CHURCH
In fact, Anchiskhati Church, which does not attract attention in terms of both its external and internal appearance, is important in terms of its use in history.
According to old Georgian annals, the church was built by the Iberian King Dachi (522–534), who made Tbilisi his capital. It was originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary. During the Ottoman invasion in the 12th century, Beka Opizari’s valuable treasure (symbol) located in the Ancha monastery in Klarjeti was moved to Tbilisi. The icon was stored in St. Mary’s Basilica for centuries (it is currently on display at the Georgian Museum of Art).
Anchiskhati Church was damaged and rebuilt several times between the 15th and 17th centuries due to wars between Georgia and the Persians or Turks. During the Soviet period, religious ceremonies in the Anchiskhati Basilica were stopped and the building was turned into a museum for handicrafts. It was later used as an art studio.
With the restoration works that lasted from 1958 to 1964 to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of Georgia’s independence, the church returned to its 17th-century appearance. The basilica returned to religious use. The Anchiskhati Choir, based in the Anchiskhati Basilica, is the world leader in Georgian polyphonic choral music.
GABRIADZE THEATER, CLOCK TOWER and CAFE
Gabriadze Complex is one of the top places to visit in Tbilisi 🙂
Considered one of the world’s most talented artists, Rezo Gabriadze (Georgian National Treasure)’s impact on Georgian culture has been lasting and profound. He gained international fame as a screenwriter, stage director, painter, sculptor and puppeteer. His most famous screenplays were turned into the films Don’t Grieve, Mimino and Kin-Dza-Dza.
He founded the Gabriadze Theater in Tbilisi in 1981. His works Alfred and Violetta, The Autumn of Spring, Ramona and The Battle of Stalingrad brought international recognition to the theatre.
While wandering around the streets of Old Tbilisi, it is impossible to miss the clock tower, which is leaning as if it is about to collapse, the toll booth with its cute entrance, and the smell of coffee coming from the cafe next to it 🙂
If you want to watch a play at the Gabriadze Theater while you are in Tbilisi, you can check out the program here.
SIMON JANASHIYA MUSEUM OF GEORGIA
It was founded in 1825 by the Geographical Society of the Russian Empire to better understand the ancient and recent history of the country. During this time, tragic events also occurred: a fire, a name change, and public transportation (the entire collection was moved to Europe in 1921 during the Bolshevik Revolution and brought back in 1945). On June 30, 2015, the following 13 museums were merged and became new. . That’s why the museum consists of buildings in a chain structure, and the main part of the museum’s large exhibition collection is located in a 3-floor building in the old Georgian architectural style on Rustaveli Street.
TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM
Tbilisi History Museum was founded in 1910 as the City Museum. Recently, it was named after the famous Georgian poet Ioseb Grishashvili. Since 1984, the Tbilisi History Museum has been housed in a restored caravanserai, representing the city’s historical role as a Silk Road trading post:)
There are more than 1,000 works in the museum. It reflects the history of Tbilisi from the 4th millennium BC to the present day. In addition to archaeological, ethnological, and archival materials, the museum offers works of national and applied art and a rich collection of photographs. A number of unique artistic and graphic works of art are also preserved in this museum. Along with ancient works, the museum also displays contemporary works of art. Many works by Georgian and foreign artists have been exhibited in the museum since 1986 and continue to be exhibited.
JVARIS MAMA CHURCH
It is an uncommon but historically important church among the places to visit in Tbilisi. The church, built by King Vantang Gorgasal I in the 5th century, has suffered great damage over the years. The church was rebuilt in its current form in the 16th century. The interior has been recently renovated and is covered in striking red, blue, and gold frescoes. You can also visit the large Armenian Norasheni Church, dating back to 1793, which is entered from the same garden.
STATE MUSEUM OF FOLK AND APPLIED ARTS OF GEORGIA
Conveniently located, the museum collection is quite small but contains interesting things. The first floor of the museum, which is located in a historical building and consists of two floors, contains traditional costumes of different regions and nations. On the second floor, furniture, mosaics, glass products and weapons are exhibited. Stop by while you’re passing by:)
SIONI CHURCH
According to medieval Georgian traditions, churches were named after some places in the Holy Land (Palestine). As a result of this tradition, Sioni Cathedral was named after Mount Zion in Jerusalem. It is called Tbilisi Sioni to distinguish it from other churches bearing the name Sioni in Georgia.
It was originally built in the 6th and 7th centuries, but was destroyed by foreign invaders and rebuilt several times. The church has survived in its current state since the 13th century, with some changes made in the 17th and 19th centuries. Sioni Cathedral hosted the seat of the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia until the consecration of the Georgian Orthodox Main Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Cathedral in 2004.
GREAT SYNAGOGUE
The Georgian Synagogue is also known as the Great Synagogue. It was founded by Jews who came from Akhalzikhe and settled in Tbilisi in the late 19th century. Its second name is “Synagogue of the Akhalzikhe People.”. The two-storey building contains two prayer halls. The main door of the synagogue is decorated with the Star of David. LITTLE SYNAGOGUE: The upper hall of the synagogue, which is an inviting building, is designed for Shabbat and holiday services. The walls and ceiling were decorated with geometric shapes, floral motifs, and prayers from the Bible in the 1940s.
You can continue reading about places to visit in Tbilisi and their details on Tbilisi Travel Guide Day 3.