#dry bridge

[just-wanna-travel]

Tbilisi, Georgia

[tripsterguru]

What to see in Tbilisi in 3 days - 18 most interesting places

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What to see in Tbilisi in 3 days - 18 most interesting places

Ancient, freedom-loving, hospitable Georgia always beckoned with the extraordinary beauty of mountain ranges, ancient temples, the cordiality and unchanging sense of humor of its inhabitants and special culinary traditions. It is no coincidence that the name of the capital “Tbilisi” translates as “warm”. Warmed by the sun, this city is good at any time of the year. If you have three free days, go to Tbilisi for a charge of positive and new experiences. This city is very convenient to just walk. You can go where your eyes look and discover a city from a new, unexpected side, or you can plan a route in advance so you don’t miss anything. We have prepared for you a route to the most interesting places in the capital of Georgia. So, we will tell you what you can see in Tbilisi in 3 days.

How to get from the airport to the center

Tbilisi International Airport is located at the eastern end of the city. There are several ways to get from it to the center.

A taxi will cost you from 20 to 30 GEL, depending on where you are going to go – to the center (say, to Freedom Square) or to the northern regions. To call a taxi, you can use the Yandex taxi application or taximaxim. The difference is only in the method of payment. In the first case, this is a transfer to the card, in the second – cash. The trip will take no more than 25 minutes, in the summer it can stretch up to 40-50 minutes, especially in the high season.

If you need to get to another city from the airport, you can order an online transfer. Here are the most popular routes in order of increasing price: to the city center ($ 12), to Gudauri ($ 45), to Bakuriani ($ 54), to Batumi ($ 80).

If you travel without children, and you do not have a mountain of suitcases, it is quite possible to opt for public transport, namely bus number 37. The stop is located three meters from the arrivals area. BUS is written in large letters on the pavement, so the likelihood that you will be lost is extremely low. The fare will cost you 0.5 GEL.

Buses run on the route from 7 a.m. to 11:35 p.m. You won’t have to wait long – they come every 15-20 minutes. In the summer, they continue to walk at night. Avlabari metro can be reached in 40 minutes, to the train station (final stop) – in an hour.

1 day

Freedom Square and Pushkin Square

The main square of Tbilisi is at the junction of three urban areas. Once there were gardens of the local nobility, but in the XIX century they were cut down and covered with an old ravine. The resulting area was called at that time Erivan. In one of the houses standing on it, A.S. Pushkin lived for 2 months in 1829, now a square located nearby is named after him. After the revolution, the square changed its name several times, bore the name of Lenin and Beria, and in our time it has received its modern name – Freedom Square.

The square became the center of many dramatic events in the history of the country. Today, there are administrative government buildings, the central branch of the national bank, hotels, shops and numerous souvenir shops. In Pushkin Park, you can relax on the benches at the fountain, book dealers often gather here, and a tourist information center works. Behind the park, in the square is the Museum of Art. Once upon a time, a theological seminary was located in this building, in which I. Dzhugashvili studied.

Tbilisi funicular

The funicular in Tbilisi is not only a vehicle that allows you to climb Mount Mtatsminda, but also one of the main attractions of the city. Once upon a time, the famous “son of a Turkish citizen” rode on it. To travel by funicular, you need to buy a ticket, the cost of which is 2 GEL, and after midnight – 3. It has 3 stops. If you go to the second, you will get to the Church of St. David and the Pantheon, and the third stop – the final goal of his route – is Mtatsminda Park.

Pantheon

Here, on Mount Mtatsminda, near the Church of the Holy Father David is the Tbilisi Pantheon. The church was built on the site of the destruction of the rock of St. David. According to legend, in the 5th century there lived an ascetic David, who descended from the mountain to the city only on Thursdays. A necropolis was organized near the walls of the temple, which now bears his name, in which the most prominent representatives of Georgian culture and public life are buried. It takes its history from 1829, when, on the initiative of Princess Nina Chavchavadze, her husband, Russian poet and public figure Alexander Griboedov was buried here. On the centenary of his death, in 1929, the Pantheon was opened here.

Here is the grave of Nina Aleksandrovna Chavchavadze-Griboedova, the great Vazha Pshavela, Veriko Anzhaparidze, Ilya Chavchavadze, Vakhtang Chabukiani, many public and political figures. In the Pantheon you can find a tablet with the name of Niko Pirosmani, but he is not here, because the burial place of the famous artist remained unknown. Near the Pantheon at the crevice of the cave in which St. David of Gareja lived, there is a holy spring. Make a wish, soak a pebble in water and attach to the wall of the temple. If he holds on, then your desire will certainly come true.

Mtatsminda park and observation deck

As early as the 19th century, Tbilisi began to travel to Mount Mtatsminda in the summer (its name translates as “Holy Mountain”) for picnics. So, gradually it became a favorite vacation spot of citizens. Many restaurants and cafes have appeared here. In the 30s of the last century, the mountain slopes were planted with trees. Today there is a large park with attractions for children and adults, a water park, a dinosaur park and a large Ferris wheel. Climb to the observation deck to enjoy an extraordinary view of the city. From here, Tbilisi is perfectly visible, especially its old part.

Puppet Theater Rezo Gabriadze

One of the main attractions of the Shavteli pedestrian street is the Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theater located on it. His performances are known far beyond the borders of Georgia. To get to them in the Georgian capital, you need to buy tickets in advance. Rezo Gabriadze is already practically a cultural heritage, not only Georgian, but also world heritage. This playwright, artist and sculptor created his own special world, by touching which you will begin to look at life with completely different eyes. The theater program has just four performances. All the dolls are made by the artist himself, just as the plays were invented by him.

The theater building, created in 1981, cannot be overlooked. It is decorated with a clock tower. Every hour a door opens in it, and an angel strikes a bell with a hammer. And twice a day – at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. – a mini-play “Life Cycle” is played here. The turret is decorated with tiles, painted by the artist himself, and a pomegranate tree grows on its roof.

The motto of the artist’s life “Let the tears be with us only from the bow” is recorded on the pediment of the theater building. Near the theater there is a cafe, the interiors of which were painted by the artist. Once it was the size of a small room and was called “Do not Cry!”, But it has gradually grown and is now called simply “Gabriadze.” Plots and phrases from famous films are written on tables and chairs, in which the artist participated as a screenwriter for Mimino, Kin-Dza-Dza and others.

Chawteli street

Another pedestrian street in the old town. It is named after the medieval Georgian poet, who lived during the time of Queen Tamara, John Chavteli. Once it was the very center of the city, the royal palace stood here, and in front of it the main palace square. This area was very prestigious in those ancient times. Near Tsarskaya Square, noble citizens and nobles built their houses. Both the square and the palace were completely destroyed in 1795 during the invasion of the Persian Khan Aga Mohammed.

Now the buildings of the Georgian Patriarchate are located on this place, inside it is the active convent of the Blessed Virgin Mary, opposite the old church of St. George, which served as the main court church from the 17th century. In addition to it, all the buildings on the street date back to the 19th century, almost nothing remained of ancient houses, palaces and churches. Here, on Shavteli Street, is the famous Puppet Theater Rezo Gabriadze, and in the park opposite the Church of St. George there is a small fountain – a gift to the city from the French capital.

2 day

Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, or Tsminda Sameba

The cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church is visible from anywhere in the city. He stands on the hill of St. Elijah on the banks of the Kura. This is the tallest temple in Georgia – its height is 101 m. The cathedral dates back to 1989, when it was decided to build it, associated with the celebration of the 2000th anniversary of Christianity. But due to the difficult years that followed, especially the events of the civil war in Georgia in 1992, the construction was postponed and the construction of the temple began only in 1995.

The first service was held here in 2002 near Christmas, although the temple was not yet completed. They consecrated it in 2005 after completion of construction. The complex includes 9 chapels, most of which are located underground, a bell tower, theological academy, the residence of the Catholicos, even a hotel and cafe. Inside the walls of the temple are painted with interesting frescoes, the best artists of Georgia led by Amiran Goglidze took part in the design.

Learn how to get compensation of up to € 600 for a delayed, canceled or overbooked flight. Patriarch Elijah II himself painted several icons for the temple. The temple holds the cross of St. Nino, which was installed on Mount Mtskheta as a sign of the baptism of Georgia. People say that the temple is literally built on bones. Once upon a time there was an ancient Armenian cemetery. It began to be destroyed in the 30s at the initiative of Beria. And during the construction, the remaining remains were not reburied, and the slabs and monuments disappeared.

Metekhi Temple

Храм Метехи (Рождества Богоматери) — один из главных символов Тбилиси. Он был возведен еще в XII веке рядом с царским дворцом и за свою долгую историю пережил немало драматических событий. Его несколько раз разрушали и восстанавливали. Он пережил монгольские и персидские нашествия. В 19-м веке в нем разместили казачий полк, а в 1921 — застенки НКВД. В 1937 году храм должен был разделить участь большинства культовых сооружений – было принято постановление о его сносе. Однако очень многие просвещенные люди и общественные деятели выступили против сноса. Одним из них был художник Дмитрий Шеварнадзе, участие в спасении памятника архитектуры стоило ему жизни. Эти события легли в основу фильма Т. Абдуладзе «Покаяние».

Этот храм имеет большое значение для грузинской культуры. Только тут сохранились образцы традиционной для средневековой грузинской архитектуры XIII–XV веков художественной резьбы по камню. К северной стене церкви пристроен уникальный портик, украшенный резьбой с орнаментом, изображающим виноградную лозу. Недалеко от храма установили уже в 1967 году памятник царю Вахтангу Горгасали — основателю города.

Europe Square and Rike Park

Next to Europe Square is the brand new Rike Park. It was founded only a few years ago, but has already become one of the favorite vacation spots of Tbilisi youth. It is good to come here both in the afternoon and in the evening. In the park you can find a piano in the bushes, play chess on a giant chessboard or sit on a bench with Ronald Reagan – the park sculpture is very diverse and not without the humor that generally distinguishes the locals. In the evenings, the park lights up at the dancing fountains and the Peace Bridge is brightly illuminated (Tbilisi called it “laying” because of the great similarity with this hygiene item).

The lights on the bridge are not turned on in a chaotic manner. As conceived by architects, lights using the Morse code convey the names of all the chemical elements that are part of the human body. Thus, the authors of the project wanted to convey the idea of ​​the unity and equality of all mankind, that all people are essentially the same. In the evening, from the park you can clearly see the presidential palace and the old city sparkling with lights on the other side of the Kura.

Cableway

The lower cableway station is located near Rike Park, next to the Peace Bridge. You will definitely notice the booths that will fly over your head in the city center. For Tbilisi residents, this is the same public transport as the metro and bus, so you can use a regular metro card to pay for the fare. We launched it in 2012, it is a modern, very fast and safe mode of transport.

Seven capsule cubicles with panoramic windows accommodate 8 people. They move smoothly and swiftly, stopping at stops. An observation deck is set up at the highest, final stop of the cableway. From here you can look at the city and choose a new route for yourself. Not far from the site is the monument “Mother Kartli” – one of the symbols of the city, and on the opposite side of it is the medieval fortress of Narikala.

Statue of Mother Kartli

Near the observation deck is a 20-meter statue of “Mother Kartli”, or “Georgia-mother.” She is a symbol of the Georgian nation: in one hand she has a bowl of wine, with which she treats everyone who came in peace, and in the other – a sword for enemies. The statue was erected in 1958 and was originally wooden. In 1963, it was replaced by aluminum. In the 90s, the statue was also slightly reconstructed, in addition, the sculptors “put” a scarf on the girl and made a little longer dress.

Narikala Fortress

The remains of the old church, which began to be built in the 5th century, stands on the hill of the same name. There have never been royal residences or main churches, as in other city fortresses. She performed only a defensive function. Many times they tried to take the fortress by storm, completed and rebuilt. She suffered very seriously during the major earthquake of 1827. In the XII century, the church of St. Nicholas was built in the fortress, unfortunately, nothing was preserved from the old church but the foundation.

In the 90s of the last century, the temple was restored on an old foundation. After the earthquake, the gates and wall fragments survived from the fortress itself. On them you can see the famous decor, characteristic of Georgian architecture of that time. The name of the fortress came from the Iranian (Persian) roots “nari” (“younger”) and “kala” (fortress).

Sulfur baths

Sulfur baths are part of the Tbilisi culture. These are ordinary public baths, the water in which is supplied from sulfur springs, of which there are many in the city itself and around it. Saturated with hydrogen sulfide water has healing properties. According to legend, even king Vakhtang noticed that a wounded pheasant drank water from such a spring and recovered immediately. The king ordered the founding of a city on the site of these sources, which was called the “Warm City” – Tbilisi. Since then, the image of the pheasant is one of the symbols of the city.

Initially, sulfur baths were taken in containers carved from stone directly in the rocks. Gradually, began to build houses for baths. Today in Tbilisi there are several baths where you can steam up and book a massage. It is best to visit them in the evening, after long walks around the city. Look for a lot of bath complexes that have developed historically in the Abanotubani area, look for more modern complexes with the best service on Lake Lisi.

Canyon with the Leghvtahavi waterfall

Leghvtahavi waterfall impressively located right in the city center for sulfur baths. To get to it, you have to walk along the gorge. On its slopes are tiny houses with carved balconies. From the sight of these dangling colorful clusters of dwellings, the heart begins to beat. And then the view opens up on the waterfall itself – a majestic and clear stream of water hits the ground with a terrible roar. This is where the origins of the city are. It is worth reaching the very end of the gorge to find yourself in this kingdom of eternal coolness.

3 day

The third day of your stay in the city can be devoted to the sights, beloved by the locals. For example, visit Turtle Lake or plunge into the motley cycle of the Dry Bridge.

Turtle Lake

One of Tbilisi’s favorite vacation spots is Turtle Lake. There are two versions about the origin of the name. According to one, once in the clear water of the lake there were turtles, and according to the other, the pond on top has the shape of a turtle. You can get to it by the second cableway, which is the longest in Tbilisi. Its final stop is Turtle Lake. On the way, you can admire the views of the park, the fashionable new areas of the city, and the lake from above. Around the lake is organized a recreation area, it is good to relax in the warm season. For children there are rides, trampolines and inflatable slides. You can sit in small cozy cafes and restaurants, which are quite a lot around the lake. Sports enthusiasts are equipped with sports fields with exercise equipment and treadmills.

The lake and hikers and hikers are also popular. Here, through a low mountain range, two routes pass. You can come to the lake and not by cable car, but climb up from Vake Park, located below. In summer, concerts, performances and club parties are often held on the shore of the lake.

Flea Market “Dry Bridge”

From Freedom Square, you can easily get to the most famous Tbilisi flea market on the Dry Bridge. It was formed spontaneously in the 90s of the twentieth century, when for many people the sale of things from home was the only way to make ends meet. It is here that you can choose souvenirs for the memory of a trip for every taste. Directly in the open air they sell handicrafts, antiques, local artists sell their paintings. Here you can buy old books, ceramics, Soviet-era products, vinyl records and cameras, hand-made (and not quite) carpets and edged weapons. It is worth coming here for the real Tbilisi flavor to feel the atmosphere of the city, try to find among the useless junk that will always remind you of this amazing city.

Chardeni Street

The most musical of the pedestrian streets of the old city at first glance resembles the picturesque Parisian streets. And even the name of her for a reason sounds in the French manner. The street bears the name of the French writer and traveler Jean Chardin, who in the 18th century visited Georgia with a Christian mission and left enthusiastic memories of her in his notes. Now this is a favorite place not only for tourists, but also for citizens. There are many cozy cafes, restaurants and interesting sculptural compositions – for example, a monument to Sergei Parajanov in flight, the famous “Toastmaster” or the colorful “Passenger” at the Singer restaurant.

This is a holiday street, flooded with light and music, which sounds here, it seems, even from under your feet. It is no coincidence that it is on this street that the main action of the annual celebration of the City Day – Tbilisoba – takes place. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of real Tbilisi fun and hospitality, sit in a cafe, bow to the memory of the great Sofiko Chiaureli – a monument to her and the images of the four heroines she played also stands here in a small square.

Maidan Square

The oldest square in Tbilisi is Tatar Maidan. Now it has been renamed Vakhtang Gorgasal Square. It used to be a market square. Caravans of merchants passed through the square. In the era of Persian conquests, a Shiite mosque stood on Maidan, and some of their traditions, including the famous Shahsei-Vakhsey ritual, survived to the turn of the century. The mosque was demolished by decree of Beria. Only a few tiles, with which she was faced, were saved.

This square is remembered by many great people. They say that just on one of the streets near the square, Niko Pirosmani was selling milk in a shop. Here the famous poet Sayat-Nova read his poems, and later the future People’s Artist of Azerbaijan Movsul Sanani worked in the shop. And today, traditions and culture of various nations intertwine in the square: next to the square is the synagogue, the oldest Orthodox church of Sioni, the Georgian-Armenian church and the minarets of the mosque. In the old houses on the narrow streets and small courtyards around the square, the traditional life and atmosphere of old Tbilisi are still preserved.

[dustedmagazine]

Noah Preminger – Meditations on Freedom (Dry Bridge)

Released in digital form on January 20th, or as our newly-christened Bloviator-In-Chief refers to it sans even an iota of self-reflexive doubt, National Day of Patriotic Devotion, tenorist Noah Preminger’s Meditations on Freedom is aural abrogation of the current political status quo. Colleagues Jason Palmer, Kim Cass and Ian Froman join him in the cause, building on and deviating from their earlier two recordings together which focused mainly on Delta blues and folk forms. Here, the prospectus shifts to protest songs with anthems by Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, George Harrison and Bruce Hornsby joining another five by Preminger. The set-up conveys the same live-in-the-studio immediacy of their previous efforts as well.

Protest and empowerment albums embody a storied lineage in jazz dating back to the 1950s and prior. Drummer Max Roach and altoist Jackie McLean were among the most prolific with albums like Deeds, Not Words, We Insist!, Let Freedom Ring, and Right Now! announcing both musical and societal entreaties for emancipation and equality. Whether Preminger’s project measures up to those classics is arguable, but there’s no assailing the earnestness behind the endeavor in making his feelings on the subject now known. Palmer, Cass and Froman are right beside him channeling feelings of consternation, indignation and conviction into the music along with a heaping mustering of hope.

Dylan’s “Only a Pawn in Their Game” serves as the first savvy shot across the bow, boiling down the current Administration’s exploitative perspective on the electorate to its basest terms. The horns shape a lush prefatory section of wending harmonies without rhythmic support before breaking off for solos led by the leader’s searching modulations. Hornsby’s “Just the Way It Is” is a millions-selling pop tune imbued with a surprising undercurrent of political frankness. Preminger and Palmer truncate and tilt the melody and turn it into something resembling an old time spiritual with the former soon slipping into a dialogue with Froman that echoes vintage Ornette. Sam Cooke’s “Change is Gonna Come” shines a high-wattage klieg light in the darkness balanced on the slow lope of Cass’ strings.

The titles to Preminger’s pieces reference other mnemonic elements endemic in the struggle. “We Have a Dream” tweaks the MLK proclamation in the interest of inclusiveness. Cass and Froman are on collective point once again, prompting the kind of richly polyphonic playing field that’s perfect for the ensuing acrobatics by the horns. “Women’s March” pays homage to the largest global protest to date with some tight unison playing and propulsive urgency while the concluding “Broken Treaties” alludes to the time-testing American tradition of violating its accords with this country’s indigenous peoples with a somber resignation. Preminger’s modesty precludes him from placing the program in the aforementioned pedigree, but a propensity to do so on the part of the listener isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Derek Taylor

[angusleadleybrown]

Portrait of Stalin for sale at the Dry Bridge street market in Tbilisi, Georgia. April 2013

Shot on a Nimslo 35mm camera on Fomapan 100 black and white film.

[javanshir]

Mood.

Spotted at Dry Bridge_Tbilisi Chronicles_August'14 issue