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crafted wooden balconies on
the left. Some of the old ancient
city walls are still standing on
the Barataşvili Street. Buildings
with red brick roofs seeming as
if overlapping with the city walls
along with the toy museum are
among those that should not
be missed on this street. The
Berikaoba Statue depicting joyful
people dancing hand in hand that
has become one of the symbols
of Tbilisi as a representative
of Georgian folklore is also at
this location. The bridge with
the same name over Barataşvili
Street and the statues over it
are worth seeing and taking
picture of. This bridge is known
among the public as the “Love
Bridge” due to the statue of the
kissing couple on it. The city has
two bridges named “Love” and
“Peace”, what more can we ask?
You should head south over the
Erekle II Street that you will see
on your right before passing
over the Barataşvili Bridge and
walk until you reach the winding
street of Bambis Rigi. On the
way you will see wonderful,
restored old Tbilisi houses, the
Litim Gorji Statue and the famous
Sioni Church. When you pass
the church dating back to the
Middle Ages, the ultramodern
Peace Bridge will be awaiting
you as a background for your
photos in contrast not only with
the church but also with the
rest of the city. If you’ve seen
the fat Sergei Parajanov Statue
with wings towards the end of
Bambis Rigi, then it means you
are near the Gorgasali Square.
The region known by the name
of Abanotubani is where you
can see the hot springs and old
Seljuq mosque. Azeri people
also reside in this region of the
city. The legend from which the
name of the city comes should
have taken place around here.
Even though there is a frantic
restoration work going on, the
houses lined up on the narrow
streets with wonderful red roofs,
magnificent stained glasses and
woodwork are worth seeing.
Indeed, do not be content with
seeing the houses just from
outside. Most of these houses
have courtyards and if you do
not hesitate to step inside then
you will have the chance to meet
the warmhearted and hospitable
Tbilisi people. A foreigner that
has entered a private residence
without permission could only be
welcomed as good as this. It is
only a matter of time according to
Georgian traditions to welcome
you as a visitor and place a
“shot” glass full of vodka right in
front of you. And we should warn
you that they will not be content
with only one. When you finish
the first they will ask you to drink
the second by saying, “you can’t
walk around with only one foot”
and after you finish the second
they will say, “you drank two for
yourself, now drink one for me”.
So you might have to drink three
shot glasses of vodka in every
house visit. In some houses,
the women of the household will
panic and start preparing things
as if you have been invited there
before. You will suddenly find
yourself witnessing the most
private moments and memories
of complete strangers. And from
that point onwards Tbilisi will be
yours as well.
Another famous structure in Tbilisi
is the Metekhi Church built right
across the ABano Tubani region
during the 13th century after
which it has been repaired many
times. Even though the structure
was going to be demolished
during the Soviet Russia period
after it was no longer used as a
church, Georgians have resisted
firmly and thus the structure
has been preserved. The statue
of King Vakhtang I Gorgasal
placed in front of the church
in 1961 greets the “Mother of
Georgia” that is Kartlis Deda. This
church is located on a precipice
overlooking the river and is a
must see. The square to the left
of the church is known as Europe
Square. . Whereas the road that
winds up from the square is
known as Wine Slope. The huge
building you are bound to see
when you lift your head up is the
Sameba Cathedral completed
in 2003 which is one of the
most important structures of the
Orthodox world. It stands out
with the square in front of it, its
bell towers and its monumental
size reaching a height of 101
meters. You will enter another
ideal route for mingling with
the daily life of Tbilisi and make
observations while returning
from the other hill towards the
river. Those who are confident in
themselves can play chess with
