GEORGIA - Tbilisi (Part 1)

16:00 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Tbilisi is the capital city of Georgia and also known as the heart of Caucasus. This vibrant capital is surrounded by mountains with amazing architecture, filled with nice food and wine.


Spent few days here in Tbilisi exploring the city.


Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi or more commonly known as Sameba is the first cathedral that we visited in Tbilisi since it is located nearby our hotel. This is the side entrance to the cathedral.


This is not the main cathedral but a smaller chapel on the side.


The internal view of the chapel.



The main cathedral is constructed between 1995 and 2004. The construction of the church is sponsored mostly by anonymous donation from several businessmen and common citizens.


The Sameba is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church located in Tbilisi and is the third tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the world measuring at approximately 98m high.  .


The church is constructed with traditional Georgian church architectural.









Grapevine Cross or better known as Georgian Cross and is the symbol of the Georgian Orthodox Church.


Some call the cross Saint Nino cross as she introduced this cross and also she is know to be the first person to preach Christianity in Georgia during the 4th century.







A poster of Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral and the surrounding neighbourhood.  


An actual picture of Sameba Cathedral and the surrounding neighbourhood taken by me during my ascend to Narikala Fortress.


This is the main entrance of the Sameba. On the right is the bell tower.


This area used to be a large cemetery whereby the oldest Armenian cemetery in Tbilisi known as Armenian Pantheon of Tbilisi. 




The construction of the church was proclaimed as a symbol of Georgian national and spiritual revival.


Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi is really beautiful.


I’ll be back at night, as my tour guide told me that the view at night is worth a look.


My next destination is also a church – Metekhi Church which is located above the Metekhi Bridge.


The Metekhi Church and the 1960s equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali beside it at a rocky outcrop.


When Vakhtang Gorgasali made Tbilisi his capital in the 5th century, this is where he built his palace and the site’s original church. The existing church was built by King Demetre Tavdadebuli between 1278 – 1289. But it has been reconstructed many time since. The church was still undergoing restoration when I visited it.




Tbilisi city view from the Metekhi Church.


The Metekhi Bridge.





The interior of Metekhi Church.



Persecution of the Christians by Arab Muslim invaders.




Passed by Freedom Square.


The Old Parliament building in Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi. The new parliament building is now in Kutaisi few hundred kilometres away from the capital city, Tbilisi.


National Gallery.


Museum of Modern Art Tbilisi or in short MOMATBILISI at Rustaveli Avenue.


There are very few skyscrapers in Tbilisi and this building will be the tallest building in Tbilisi once its construction is completed.


An unfinished Soviet monument.


Tbilisi Concert Hall opened since 1971.






Presidential Palace.


Passed by Metekhi Church again.


The cable station where I took a cable car to reach Narikala Fortress.






Mother Of Georgia to the right and the Narikala Fortress to the left.


First stop, Mother Of Georgia.


We’re both mothers. Haha.


Statue of Mother of Georgia was erected in 1958, the year when Tbilisi celebrated its 1500th anniversary. This 20 metre aluminium statue symbolise Georgian national character: in her left hand, a bowl of wine to greet friends and in her right hand is a sword for enemies.


Front view of the statue.


Still best to view it from the bottom.


Narikala Fortress is within walking distance from the Mother of Georgia.


A balcony overlooking the lush green botanical garden.




A big mansion.


Continue walking towards Narikala Fortress.


The weather was cold that day. Wish I’d worn a wind breaker like my baby.


Narikala Fortress dates back to the 4th century when it was a Persian citadel. Most of the present walls were built in the 8th century by the Arabs. Subsequently Georgians, Turks and Persians captured and patched up Narikala.


The Metekhi Church and Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi can be seen from the fortress.



The building with small domes on ground floor is where people can get sulphur bath and massage.


Nearby the sulphur bath house is a mosque.


Our tour guide, Anri with my hubby and baby.



In 1827, a huge explosion of Russian munitions stored here ruined the fortress and Church of St. Nicholas insides it.


This church was rebuilt in the 1990s with the help of funding from a police chief.




It is possible to climb up the Narikala Fortress but you should watch your steps as some parts is a steep climb.



Entering into the church.




The interior of the church.



After visiting the Narikala Fortress, it’s time to head back to the cable car station. It is definitely the best place to see the superb view of the Tbilisi city beneath.


View from the city. Narikala Fortress to the left and Mother of Georgia’s statue on the right


Panoramic view of Tbilisi City.


Afterwards, I visited Georgian Synagogue, a Jewish prayer house.



Tbilisi Great Synagogue built by Akhaltsikhe Jews in 1904 – 1911.






The interior of the Jewish church. If you want to take some pictures inside, best to turn off the flash light of your camera and do not disturb those worshipping in the church.


Just outside the Georgian Synagogue, I saw this quirky signboard. “What’s on a man’s mind after wine?” “More wine?” LOL.


Georgian Carpets for sale.


The Sioni Cathedral is situated in historic Sioni Street in downtown Tbilisi. It was initially built during the 6th century, but was destroyed by foreign invaders and reconstructed several times.


The current Sioni Cathedral is based on the 13th century with some upgrades from the 17th to 19 century.



This stone iconostasis dates to the 1850s. It replaced the wooden one burned during the Persian invasion in 1795.


In April 1802, the Russian commander-in-chief in Georgia, General Karl von Knorring, assembled the Georgian nobles in the cathedral and surrounded them with Russian troops. The nobles were then forced to take an oath to the Russian Imperial crown. Those who disagreed were taken into custody.



This three storey bell tower across the street was built in 1812 in commemoration of Russia victory in Russo-Turkish War of 1806-1812.








Next, we visited the Anchiskhati Basilica which is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi. The church was built by the King Dachi of Iberia, who made Tbilisi his capital.


It is currently undergoing restoration. The basilica was damaged and rebuilt on several occasions from 15th to 17th century due to wars between Georgian, Persians and Turks.




During the Soviet period, all religious ceremonies were halted. It was not until 1991, after the independence of Georgia that the basilica reverted to religious use.


Nearby the basilica is a leaning clock tower. It looks like something that comes out from a storybook and a lot of tourist take pictures here.




Stopped by the Dry Bridge Bazaar before heading for lunch.



This is the restaurant that our tour guide recommended. It’s actually a German restaurant and bar.




A waitress taking our order.






We ordered salad, kebab and Georgian famous traditional dumplings – Khinkali.


After lunch, we headed to a local bazaar.


The bazaar is huge!


You can get everything from food, clothes, shoes and souvenirs here for a bargain.





My hubby bought a pair of shoes since his was broken.



At night, I went back to Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi since it is nearby our hotel. The night view is splendid.


Even late at night, the Holy Trinity Cathedral is still open.


A few people can still be seen praying in the cathedral.




A souvenir shop in the Sameba Cathedral.


Walked round the cathedral while taking come pictures of the building’s architecture.











Seen above the mountain is the Tbilisi TV Broadcasting Tower measuring 274.5m high. 


The main entrance of the Sameba Cathedral.


Nearby the Sameba Cathedral is the Presidential Palace. Time to call it a day after spending the whole day exploring the city. Rest of Tbilisi will be posted in Part 2.