Georgia: the area of \u200b\u200bthe territory without Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Georgia Georgia km

Tbilisi is not just the capital of Georgia, but also a typical city of contrasts. The diversity of buildings, local flavor and soulfulness of people are especially felt here. In Tbilisi, there are many within walking distance, beautiful surroundings, good and quite affordable prices. There is excellent public transport inside the city: buses, taxis. Thanks to this, you can easily get to almost any part of the capital.

Despite the many positive aspects, Tbilisi, like any other tourist destination, has its drawbacks. For example, bad sidewalks in some parts of the city, exchangers with veiled commissions and stifling heat during the height of the summer season. But these little things absolutely do not prevent a huge number of travelers from all over the world to come and relax in it every year.

From a height, Tbilisi no longer seems as motley as it really is. New buildings are hiding under more familiar roofs and greenery of the city.

The city is perfect to visit at any time of the year - tourists will always find something to entertain and occupy themselves with. More details read about the important sights of the capital in our separate article: We will not list all the fascinating places of Tbilisi again, we will only briefly indicate the most exciting for travelers.

One of the newest and most unusual buildings in the city is the Peace Bridge, which is essentially made of glass and steel.

Shops in Tbilisi: from a grocery supermarket to a technical department

Grocery stores, supermarkets and bakeries in some districts of Tbilisi come across often, although not as much as, for example, in Batumi. The prices are affordable, and the choice is wide. Those who have come to the city for a long time prefer to shop in the market, where it turns out a little cheaper, and even chat with locals is possible. An article for those who are interested cost of products in the capital:

The choice of equipment in stores is very diverse, and the price is slightly higher than in native post-Soviet countries. Therefore, if you urgently need something small, for example, a card for a camera or a flash drive, then feel free to buy it here, you will practically not lose anything. We do not recommend purchasing larger equipment (camera, laptop, etc.) in Tbilisi, as well as in Georgia in general.

Options how and what to get to Tbilisi

The city has railway stations, bus stations and about 15.5 kilometers from the center of Tbilisi. The most convenient and fastest way to get to the capital of Georgia is by plane. Depending on the chosen month of travel and the city from which you are going to depart, the price can vary enormously.

Our train from Batumi to Tbilisi looked exactly like this. The ticket cost 23 lari for about 5.5 hours of travel. It takes a few more minutes to walk to the nearest metro station.

The main train station is quite far from the city center (see below). Passengers from other cities come here. In addition, they travel from Tbilisi-Passenger to Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The first time we got to Tbilisi was by train from Batumi. It was moderately comfortable (with free Wi-Fi and working sockets) and slightly chilly (with the air conditioner on). The tickets were the cheapest (2nd class, by 23 GEL COURSE OF GEORGIAN LARI:
23 lari \u003d 7.61 euros;
23 lari \u003d 8.74 dollars;
23 lari \u003d 580.06 rubles;
23 lari \u003d 244.72 hryvnia;
23 lari \u003d 19.55 Belarusian rubles.
Course and prices may not be accurate. per person). The train went all night. The sitting chairs did not allow me to really relax and sleep well. An option worthy of attention, but not the best in terms of convenience: suitcases stand in certain places of the carriage all together, from the station to the hotel or apartment you have to get separately (if very early or bad weather, you will have to additionally call a taxi).

Many people come to Tbilisi from other parts of Georgia by bus. The main bus station of the city is located in a convenient location, a few hundred meters from it there is the Didube metro station. From the Tbilisi station, there are transport in different directions (once we went from it to). It is worth keeping in mind: in Georgia, minibuses are mostly old and worn out. Some offer passengers additional seats inside - on a side chair, or you can ride standing for several hours. Luggage often travels on the roof of the bus, strapped along with other suitcases and trunks. The schedule is rather arbitrary: when the minibus is assembled, then it will leave.

Recently, we travel to Tbilisi and other cities of Georgia,. It turns out much more convenient and interesting. Drivers often suggest visiting nearby attractions along the way. For example, during a trip from Batumi to Tbilisi, we stopped at Uplistsikhe and Gori, and when approaching Akhaltsikh, stopped in our hearts and walked around the territory of the Green Monastery. In the car, each passenger is allocated a bottle of drinking water, sometimes there are sweets and stronger drinks. The drivers are attentive and sociable. Stay on request, help with luggage. An indisputable plus of renting a car with a driver: you will be taken to the specified house, regardless of the time spent on the road and the weather. On our last trip to Tbilisi, ordering a car played into our hands - a terrible storm with rain and wind broke out at the entrance to the city. In some places in Tbilisi, water flowed down the road in a continuous stream up to the middle of the wheel. What we would do if we went by train is hard to imagine. Probably, I would have to order a taxi for any money. We rent cars with drivers on the Gotrip.ge website.

Transport within the capital of Georgia

A very convenient universal card for travel in public transport around the city of Tbilisi. Suitable for use on the cable car.

A tourist can move around the city in several ways suitable for him: by minibus, by metro, by or taxi.

For the first two options, it is advisable to purchase a special card and put some money on it. Then, with the help of the card, travelers can ride the aforementioned transport and the cable car, and at the end of the vacation, check in to the cashier and return not only the balance, but also its full cost.

For those who are interested: Details about the features of public transport in Tbilisi and

It is better to negotiate with taxi drivers in Tbilisi through the locals, otherwise you risk spending twice the amount you need on the trip, or you will simply be driven in “circles”, increasing the mileage.

If you need to book a transfer to or from the airport, it's better. This option guarantees a fixed price without markups, as well as fast and accurate delivery to the desired location. In addition, the driver will tell you the best place for, advise on delicious national dishes. You can order a transfer from Tbilisi to the airport using the active link (highlighted in blue).

Accommodation in Tbilisi: city hotels and apartments

To prevent living in the capital of Georgia from becoming an unpleasant surprise for you, we recommend choosing accommodation in advance, and not at the last moment and not too much chasing savings. It should be understood that Tbilisi is a rather ancient city with its own specifics. It has both old and new districts, which may not have beautiful attractions, cheap shops or a huge selection of restaurants nearby.

Our reviews about the capital of Georgia

A few personal impressions of our visits to Tbilisi: how do we remember the city? Is it worth going back there? What did you like the most? We hope that our subjective opinions about the capital of Georgia will help you navigate and decide whether to go to Tbilisi or not.

The capital of Georgia. The name Tbilisi was first mentioned in the 4th century; its appearance is associated with the presence in the city of warm sulfuric springs (Georgian warm tbili). The ancient form of the name is Tpilisi, from which the names of the city, adopted by other peoples, are formed ... Geographical encyclopedia

Tbilisi - Tbilisi. Kura River and Metekhi Cathedral (founded in 1278). TBILISI (Tiflis until 1936), the capital of Georgia, on the Kura River. 1283 thousand inhabitants. Railway junction. Metropolitan (1966). Mechanical engineering (machine tools, electric locomotives, devices, agricultural ... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

The capital of the Georgian SSR. Known from the 4th century, the capital of Georgia from the 12th century. Stretched out in a narrow strip for almost 30 km in the valley of the river. Kura and on the adjacent mountain slopes. In the southeastern part of Tbilisi, there is its ancient core, the Old City with narrow streets, ... Art encyclopedia

- (until 1936 Tiflis), the capital of Georgia, on the Kura River. 1283 thousand inhabitants. Railway junction. Metropolitan (1966). Mechanical engineering (machine tools, electric locomotives, instruments, agricultural machines, electrical equipment, etc.), light (textile, ... ... Modern encyclopedia

- (until 1936 in Russian transcription Tiflis) the capital of Georgia, on the river. Kura. Railway junction. 1279 thousand inhabitants (1991; including settlements subordinated to the city administration, 1283 thousand inhabitants). Mechanical engineering (production of machine tools, ... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Tiflis Dictionary of Russian synonyms. tbilisi n., number of synonyms: 3 city (2765) capital ... Synonym dictionary

- (until 1936 in Russian transcription Tiflis) the capital of the Georgian SSR. A large industrial, scientific and cultural central transport hub. Located in the Tbilisi Basin, along both banks of the river. Chickens, at an altitude of 406 522 m. Average ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

TBILISI - GEORGIA Tbilisi (until 1936 in Russian transcription Tiflis), the capital of Georgia, is located in the valley of the Kura River in the Caucasus Mountains. The population of the city is 1,353,000 inhabitants. Convenient location of the city on one of the mountain routes connecting the Black and Caspian ... ... Cities and countries

- (until 1936 Tiflis) city, capital of Gruz. SSR, one of the largest industrial, cultural and scientific. centers of the USSR, located in the valley of the river. Chickens. Railway junction, airport, early. item Military. cargo. roads. On 1 Jan. 1972 927 t. (in 1897 160.6 tons, in 1926 294 tons ... Soviet Historical Encyclopedia

- (until 1936 Tiflis) the capital of Cargo. SSR, industrial and cultural center. 1066 thousand inhabitants (as of Jan 1979). T. is ch. city \u200b\u200bof Georgia from the 5th to 6th centuries Information about muses. life T. survived in ancient chronicles and lit. monuments of ancient times. FROM… … Musical encyclopedia

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• Tbilisi is the capital of the Georgian SSR,. Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia. One of the oldest cities in the world, one of the largest industrial, cultural and scientific centers of the Soviet Union. Founded in the second half of the 5th century. Its name ...
• Tbilisi. Guide, Georgy Khutsishvili. Georgians say: "When a guest comes to the house, this is the sunrise. When he leaves the house, this is the sunset for the owner." Let's hope the sun never sets for the inhabitants of this ancient ...

Tbilisi (Georgia) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main sights of Tbilisi with descriptions, guides and maps.

Tbilisi city (Georgia)

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, located in the eastern part of the country on the banks of the Kura (Mtkvari). It is an ancient city, founded in the 5th century, which is now home to over 1 million people. Tbilisi is one of the most charming cities in the Caucasus, where amazing sights and unique treasures are hidden among narrow atmospheric streets, cozy old courtyards and crooked houses. Despite the fact that Tbilisi was destroyed and rebuilt several dozen times during its 1,500-year history, the old city has retained its medieval charm and, to a large extent, its original state.

Geography and climate

Tbilisi is located in the center of Eastern Georgia in a basin bounded by the spurs of the Trialeti Range, the Saguram Range and the Iori Highlands. The climate is temperate continental with relatively hot summers and cool winters. Due to its proximity to warm seas (Black and Caspian) and the Greater Caucasus Range, which blocks the invasion of air masses, the climate of Tbilisi is warmer than in cities at the same latitudes. The average annual temperature is 12.7 degrees. The coldest month is January with temperatures around 0. The average summer temperature is over 20 degrees.

Practical information

1. Population - 1.1 million people.
2. The area is 720 square kilometers.
3. The language is Georgian.
4. Currency - Georgian lari.
5. Time - UTC +4.
6. Visa - not required for a stay of up to 360 days.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Tbilisi is from May to October. It can get quite hot in July and August. To enjoy Tbilisi without tourists, it is better to come in winter or early spring.

History

According to legend, Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century AD by the ancient Georgian king Vakhtang Gorgasali. Already in the 6th century, the city became the capital of the state. Interestingly, the settlement on the site of modern Tbilisi was marked on Roman maps. Baths dating back to the 1st century AD, as well as the remains of ancient settlements of the 3rd-4th century BC, have been discovered in the historic center. The name Tbilisi (formerly Tiflis) is translated as "warm" due to the many thermal springs.

A Georgian legend tells that earlier the territory of Tbilisi was covered with forests, where the ruler of the ancient Georgian state Vakhtang I Gorgasal hunted. He shot a bird that fell into a hot spring and boiled. According to another version, it was a deer that ran to the source and was healed. The tsar considered this a "good" sign and founded the city here.

In the 6th century, the capital of the Georgian kingdom was moved from Mtskheta to Tbilisi. In 626, the city was taken by the Khazars after months of siege. In 653, Georgia was subdued by the Arabs, although Tbilisi retained some independence for almost a century. In 736 the city was captured by Arab troops. The Arabs ruled Georgia until the 11th century. In 1122 Tbilisi became the capital of a united and independent Georgia.

The heyday of the Georgian kingdom lasted until the 13th century. In 1226 Tbilisi was devastated by the troops of Jalal-ad-Din, in 1238 it was captured by the Mongols, who ruled Georgia until 1327. In 1366, a great plague reached Tbilisi. From the 14th to the 17th century, the city experienced several devastation and destruction:

• In 1386 Tbilisi was captured by the hordes of Timur.
• In 1444, the city was destroyed by the troops of the Kara-Koyunlu state.
• In 1536, Tbilisi was captured by the Iranian army.

In 1490 (after the collapse of the Georgian state) Tbilisi became the capital of the Kingdom of Kartli. In 1578 the Turks occupied the city. In 1783 Georgia takes over the protectorate of the Russian Empire. Tbilisi remains the main city of the country. In 1918, the independence of Georgia was declared. The independent Georgian state did not last long, and already in the 30s of the 20th century the country became part of the Soviet Union. Georgia became independent in 1991 after the collapse of the USSR.

How to get there

Tbilisi has an international airport - the largest in Georgia. The capital of the country is connected by air with Moscow, Riga, Rome, Vienna, Minsk, Tallinn, Kiev, Amsterdam and other cities of Russia, the Near and Far Abroad. Trains and buses 37/137 run from the airport to the center. The ticket price is 0.5 GEL. A taxi costs 20-30 GEL. Tbilisi has a railway connection with Baku, Yerevan, Batumi, Kutaisi, Gori, Borjomi. Buses connect the city with most cities in Georgia, as well as cities in Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Public transport in Tbilisi - metro, buses and minibuses. The trip by metro and by bus costs 0.5 GEL. Minibuses are a little more expensive.

Shopping and shopping

Avoid shopping and dining around Kote Abkhazi. It is a popular tourist area where prices are often grossly overpriced. A large flea market is located near Freedom Square and is held every Saturday. This is the best place to buy antiques and interesting things. The main market is located near the Dynamo arena. Basically, people buy in Tbilisi: antiques, jewelry, local products (chacha, churchkhela, wine, cheese, mineral water). Stores with these goods are located throughout the historic center.

Food and drink

Georgian cuisine is delicious, cheap and versatile. In Tbilisi, you can eat hearty and inexpensive. Traditional Georgian dishes: puri (bread), khachapuri (flatbread with cheese), chvishtari (corn baked goods), jonjoli (pickled flowers of a plant), badrijani (eggplant rolls), phali, khinkali, dolma, mtsvadi (shashlik), lobio, chashushuli (stewed veal), chakapuli (meat with spices), churchkhela, chiri (dried persimmon). The meal is accompanied by chacha, a glass of Georgian wine and a glass of mineral water.

Abanotubani district

sights

The old city is the heart of Tbilisi. This area is located between Freedom Square, the ancient ruins of the Narikala fortress and Kura. Despite the fact that Tbilisi has been ravaged several times throughout its history, the historic center has been surprisingly well preserved and retained its special atmosphere and charm.

Old Tbilisi is an area of \u200b\u200bnarrow streets with ancient churches, old houses with lovely wooden balconies and quiet courtyards. This ancient architecture is a bit like the architecture of the Renaissance and Italy. The old town also features a number of eclectic landmarks and modern architectural elements. The historic center of Tbilisi is full of hidden treasures and interesting places to discover with a simple walk.

Narikala is one of the symbols of Tbilisi, an ancient Persian fortress built in the 4th century and expanded in the 8th century by the Arabs. The fortress is located on a high hill and consists of two parts. In the lower part, in the 90s of the 20th century, the church of St. Nicholas, which is located in the same place where the ancient church of the 13th century was located. Most of the fortress was destroyed by an earthquake in 1827. The main reason why tourists come here is stunning views of the old town and the Kura valley. You can climb the fortress by funicular, which departs near the Metekhi temple.

Temple of Metekhi or the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the main attractions of Tbilisi. This is an ancient 12th century church located on a cliff above Kura. Nearby there is an equestrian statue of the legendary Georgian ruler Vakhtang Gorgasali. The first temple on this site was built in the 5th century. Presumably, the royal palace was also located here. Therefore, this place is one of the oldest in Tbilisi. The old church was destroyed by the Mongols. The existing temple dates from the late 13th century. The building was damaged by fire in the late 18th century during the Persian invasion. The territory of the temple was used as a prison in the 19th century, and the temple itself was almost demolished during the Soviet era under Stalin.

Mother - Georgia or Kartlis Deda - a 20-meter aluminum statue near the Narikala fortress. It is a symbol not only of Tbilisi, but of the whole country. The sword in her hand is for enemies, and the cup of wine is for friends.

Sioni is a former cathedral church in Tbilisi, which until 2004 (before the construction of Sameba) was the main religious building of the capital of Georgia. The first church on this site was built at the end of the 6th century. The temple was rebuilt several times, destroyed by the Arabs and an earthquake in 1668. The Arabs damaged the ancient frescoes and the iconostasis. The existing structure mostly dates from the first half of the 19th century.

The Church of the Holy Trinity or Sameba is a grandiose cathedral, completed in 2004. It is the largest religious building in Tbilisi, 84 meters high, with a beautiful gilded dome.

Kashveti is a church of the early 20th century on Rustaveli Avenue.

Rustaveli Avenue is the central street of Tbilisi, named after the Georgian national poet. Starts from Freedom Square.

Freedom Square is one of the central squares of Tbilisi, located in the old city. For the most part it is surrounded by monumental architecture of the 19th century. A tall statue of St. George.

Gabriadze Theater is a puppet theater located in the heart of Tbilisi. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city with a fabulous clock tower. On the facade of the tower there are hundreds of hand-made tiles, created by Gabriadze himself. Every hour an angel comes out of the door above and hits the bell with a hammer, and at noon and at 19.00 you can watch a small puppet show called "The Circle of Life".

Anchiskhati is the oldest church in Tbilisi, built in the 6th century during the reign of King Dachi Ujarmeli. The building was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The brick bell tower was built in the 17th century. The building is made of tuff and is a three-aisled basilica with horseshoe-shaped apses.

The Bridge of Peace is one of the first modern architectural landmarks in Tbilisi, a glass-steel structure designed by the Italian architect De Luci. It is a pedestrian bridge across the Kura.

Abanotubani is one of the most charming areas of Tbilisi, famous for its baths on natural sulfur thermal springs. In the area, you can find many budget hotels, stroll along the old canal and admire the Narikala fortress.

The Upper Bethlehem Church (Zemo Betlemi) is an ancient religious building under the Narikala fortress. It is believed that the church was founded in the 5th century by the legendary founder of Tbilisi, Vakhtang Gorgasali. In the 15th century, the Armenian monastery of Petkhain was built on this site. The existing building dates back to the 19th century, when a large-scale reconstruction of the facade and the construction of a dome was made. At the same time, the ancient foundation made of old brick can be easily distinguished.

The Lower Bethlehem Church in the style of Armenian architecture was built in the first half of the 18th century from old Georgian bricks. Used by the Georgian Orthodox Church since 1988.

The content of the article

TBILISI(until 1936 in Russian transcription Tiflis), the capital of Georgia, the largest city in the country, industrial and cultural center. Population - 1082 thousand people (according to the 2002 census). It is located in eastern Georgia, in the Tbilisi Basin, on the banks of the Kura River, at an altitude of 380–750 m above sea level. Total area - approx. 140 sq. Km The city is divided into five administrative districts.

Tbilisi has a difficult natural relief. On three sides, mountain slopes and hills adjoin its quarters, so the city stretches in length along the river for 30 km. Its central areas are located on terraces on both sides of the Kura.

Winter is mild, summer is hot. The average annual temperature is about 13 ° C. In January –1 ° C, in July - 24.5 ° C. The annual precipitation is 560 mm.

The Kura crosses the city from northwest to southeast. Within the city are the Tbilisi reservoir, Lisskoye and Turtle lakes. Natural historical forests around the city have long been cut down, slopes of mountains and hills are covered with artificial forest plantations.

Tbilisi is a multinational city. Georgians make up 84% of the population (2002), Armenians - 7.6%, Russians - 3%, Kurds - 1.8%, Azerbaijanis - 1%, Ossetians - 0.95%, Greeks - 0.35%, Ukrainians - 0 , 3%, Jews - 0.2%, others - 0.8%. In terms of religious composition, the population of Tbilisi is also very diverse. The overwhelming majority of Georgians, Russians, Greeks and Ossetians profess Orthodox Christianity, while Armenians are Gregorian Christians. Only 0.2% of Kurds are Muslims, the rest are Yezidis. Azerbaijanis are Sunni Muslims. There are communities of Jews (Jews), small Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Krishna, and other communities.

Historical sketch.

According to archaeological data, the territory of Tbilisi was inhabited as early as the 4th millennium BC. It is believed that the city was founded by King Vakhtang I Gorgasali in the 5th century. AD, but the first chronicle mention of Tbilisi dates back to the 4th century AD. Legend has it that King Vakhtang hunted in this area, his falcon chased a pheasant, caught him, but with him fell into a hot sulfur spring. The king liked the place so much that he decided to start extensive construction here. It is believed that the name of the city comes from these warm springs (the word "tbili" in Georgian means warm). Son of Tsar Vakhtang I, Dacha, at the beginning. 6 c. moved the capital from Mtskheta to Tbilisi.

In the middle of the 7th century. Arabs invaded Georgia. Since the 30s of the 8th century. Tbilisi is the residence of the Arab Emir. In the 9-11 centuries. the city was subjected to invasions by the Khazars, Persians, Seljuk Turks, remaining under the rule of the Arab Emir. Only in 1122 the Georgian king David IV, nicknamed the Builder, defeated the Seljuk Turks and threw off their yoke, thereby completing the unification of Georgia. He again made Tbilisi the capital of Georgia.

In the 12th century, during the heyday of the unified Georgian feudal state, Tbilisi turned into one of the largest trade, craft and cultural centers of the Middle East. It was at this time that a special way of life and way of life, a special culture began to take shape here, ultimately forming the unique face of the city, which, despite all subsequent shocks, it has preserved throughout its history. Starting from the 20s of the 13th century, with the emergence of new powerful enemies - the Mongols, difficult times came for Georgia Tbilisi was seized and plundered several times both by the Mongols themselves and by the Khorezm prince Jalal-ed-Din, persecuted by them. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Timur Leng (Tamerlane) undertook several devastating raids on the city.

From the end of the 15th century. until the first half of the 17th century. inclusively, Tbilisi was conquered several times by Persia and Turkey. In 1795, the city experienced the last terrible conquest, when the ruler of Iran, Agha Mohammed Qajar, literally razed Tbilisi to the ground, seizing the city, he burned it down and massacred or captured the population. Only the approach of Russian troops to Tbilisi in 1796 forced Aga Mohammed to leave Georgia.

In 1801, after the annexation of eastern Georgia to Russia, the Tbilisi province was formed, the city became its administrative center and the residence of the commander-in-chief of the Russian troops in the Caucasus. Since 1845 Tbilisi has been the residence of the Tsar's governor in the Caucasus. Since the end of the 19th century. the rise of the revolutionary movement in the Russian Empire did not bypass Tbilisi either. In 1892, the first in Georgia social democratic organization "Mesame Dasi" was established here.

After the February Revolution of 1917, the Mensheviks came to power in Georgia, they declared its independence from Russia, Tbilisi became the capital of the new republic. But on February 25, 1921, Red Army units entered the city, Georgia was transformed into the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic, Tbilisi remained its capital.

From the second half of the 80s of the 20th century. Tbilisi has become the center of the Georgian independence movement, which has intensified especially since the end of 1988. On April 9, 1989, a multi-day rally on Rustaveli Avenue in front of the building of the Supreme Soviet of the republic calling for an exit from the USSR of the year ended with the dispersal of the protesters, which entailed human casualties. This led to the defeat of the Georgian Communist Party in the autumn parliamentary elections. The overwhelming majority of votes was received by the union of nationalist forces called "Mrgvali Magida" ("Round Table") led by Zviad Gamsakhurdia.

After the declaration of independence on April 9, 1991, Tbilisi became the capital of the Republic of Georgia. However, political divisions soon broke out in the ranks of the ruling bloc, which led to civil confrontation and armed conflict, the main arena of which was again Rustaveli Avenue (September 1991 - January 1992), which led to fires and destruction in the center of the capital. In subsequent years, Tbilisi remained the center of all political events that took place in Georgia, including the so-called Rose Revolution (November 2003).

Economy.

The economic development of Tbilisi in the Middle Ages was due to the fact that the city was located at the crossroads of trade routes of the entire South Caucasus, connecting Georgia with Eastern Transcaucasia, Iran, Syria, Armenia, one of the branches of the Great Silk Road passed through it. After joining Russia, he retained this function. From the second half of the 19th century. the first enterprises of the capitalist type began to appear in the city, at the beginning of the 20th century. there were already about 600 factories and plants in Tbilisi. The most significant of them were paper spinning, plywood, felt, match and tobacco factories, tanneries, breweries and oil mills. The city traded mainly in manufactory, tea, iron, porcelain and glass products, its turnover reached 40-45 million royal rubles. in year. The Transcaucasian railway connected Tbilisi with Baku, Batumi and Kars, there was also a railway to Russia and a "wheel track" - the Georgian Military Highway, going through the Cross Pass to Vladikavkaz.

During the years of Soviet power, along with the food and light industry, heavy industry began to develop here. By the early 1980s, Tbilisi's share in the republic's industrial production was over 30%. There were electric locomotive, aviation, machine-tool, instrument-making factories, textile, meat and dairy, wine and other enterprises.

After the collapse of the USSR and the collapse of the system of a unified Soviet economy, an economic crisis set in in Georgia, practically all industrial enterprises stopped. This fate did not escape Tbilisi either. At the end of the 80s, only commercial enterprises operated in the city, trading mainly in imported goods and products of domestic agriculture. Since the mid-90s, the first signs of an industrial revival have been outlined, primarily in the production of food products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The process of economic revival has been and continues to be very difficult. The main reasons for this are: lack of own financial resources, unfavorable conditions for attracting foreign investment (incompetence and weakness of government structures, inconsistency and half-heartedness in economic reforms, dominance of crime, etc.), as well as the inability of entrepreneurs to work in new, market conditions. Tbilisi is at the forefront of the development of the Georgian economy, according to official statistics, in 2004 the share of the capital in the production of goods and services was more than 56% (about 1 billion US dollars).

Plants and factories of Tbilisi produce approx. 49% of all industrial products. Pharmaceutical enterprises operate in the capital, construction materials are produced, and in recent years, commercial construction of housing and hotels has significantly expanded. Today, along with several dozen guesthouses and small hotels, there are three four-star hotels in the city. As a rule, the leading enterprises have a significant share of foreign capital.

The metro has been operating in the city since 1966. Significant efforts are being made by the current authorities to revitalize surface public transport and streamline traffic.

Sights.

Three periods of its development are clearly distinguished in the architecture of Tbilisi: the period from ancient times to the beginning. 19th century, the period of Georgia's stay in the Russian Empire and the last, Soviet period. Over time, the city expanded from east to west and north, the oldest part of it is located in the southeast on both sides of the Kura. Winding streets and low, mostly two-story houses with picturesque balconies rise on the steep right bank of the river, they literally grow out of the cliff and seem to be ready to fall off the cliff. The end of the rocky ridge is crowned by the Metekhi Temple (the 17th century building was erected on the site of the oldest church in the city of the 5th century) and the palace of Queen Darejan - the wife of the penultimate king of independent Georgia Irakli (Erekle) II.

At the beginning of the Wine Rise, through which you can get to this part of Tbilisi, there is a monument to the famous Georgian poet of the romantic era Nikoloz Baratashvili (sculptor Boris Tsibadze). From here a view opens onto the much lower right bank of the Kura. The city smoothly spreads along it and rises in ledges to the foot of the Narikala fortress, the walls of which in ancient times protected the inhabitants of the city from enemy invasions. Not far from the fortress there is a multi-meter statue by the sculptor Elguji Amashukeli - Mother Georgia. A woman in the national Georgian dress holds a cup of wine in one hand, and a sword in the other to meet friends and enemies with dignity.

Here, next to each other, are the Zion Church (6th century, the last reconstruction dates back to the 19th century), which until recently was the cathedral of the Georgian Patriarchate, a Jewish synagogue, a Muslim mosque, Gregorian and Catholic churches. The famous area of \u200b\u200bsulfur baths (Abanotubani) is also located here, which is a favorite resting place for citizens and guests of Tbilisi to this day. On Konstantin Leselidze Street, the famous Georgian commander of the Second World War, you can get to the central square of the city (now Freedom Square), where the city hall, one of the newly built high-class hotels, Courtyard Marriot and Pushkin Square are located. Pushkin Street goes down from it to the embankment. Here is the house where the great Russian poet stayed during his stay in Tbilisi. Rustaveli Avenue starts from Freedom Square. It, like the Agmashenebeli Avenue, which is located on the right bank and runs almost parallel to it, was built up mainly from the beginning of the 19th century. The architecture of many buildings that have survived to this day vividly recalls this era.

These two avenues are still the focus of the spiritual and cultural life of the capital. Most of the theaters, museums, scientific institutions and administrative buildings are located here. On Rustaveli Avenue, the palace of the tsar's governor in the Caucasus (now the Palace of Schoolchildren) was built, next to it was the building of the Georgian parliament (mid-20th century), the building of the gymnasium, where many famous figures of Georgia studied for two centuries. Here is the theater. Rustaveli, the State Historical Museum of Georgia, the State Art Gallery, a little further - the Opera and Ballet Theater. The building of the State Conservatory is located on one of the upper streets adjacent to the avenue. On Agmashenebeli Avenue there is a modern building of the concert hall of the Georgian Philharmonic, on the intersecting street named after the Georgian director Kote Mardzhanishvili - the Marjanishvili Drama Theater.

As already noted, the western and northwestern districts of the city were built up mainly during the Soviet era. The Vake area on the right bank begins with the avenue named after the Georgian writer and public figure 19 - early. 20th century Ilya Chavchavadze. The building of Tbilisi State University opens the avenue. At the end of it on the left is one of the largest parks of culture and recreation in the city. The main road from it rises up the mountain and leads to the favorite place of summer recreation of the townspeople - the village of Tskneti. Despite the proximity to Tbilisi (approx. 15 km.), This place has a much more favorable climate due to its higher location above sea level (950 m).

From the end of Vake, a separate road leads to Turtle Lake. In the vicinity of the lake there is an open-air museum of folk architecture and life. Here visitors can get acquainted with the ethnography of residents of all regions and corners of Georgia. In the north of the city there is an artificial reservoir, the so-called Tbilisi Sea, which is a popular recreation place for citizens in the summer heat. Among the recreation areas, it is also worth mentioning the Tbilisi Botanical Garden, located in the old part of the city, between the area of \u200b\u200bSulfur Baths and Freedom Square, on the side of a mountain. More than 5,000 species of various plants are represented here, the garden was founded in the 20s of the seventeenth century and in recent years, with the assistance of patrons of art, has been enriched with many new rare specimens. To the west, also on the side of the mountain, there is a pantheon of writers and public figures. Here is the tomb of A. Griboyedov and his wife Nina - the daughter of the Georgian poet A. Chavchavadze.

Institutions of culture, science and education.

There are over 30 museums in Tbilisi. In addition to the above, the most significant are the State Museum of Art of Georgia, which, along with exhibits representing national fine art from ancient times to the present day, contains interesting collections of Eastern, European and Russian art; the Museum of the History of Tbilisi, which is located in the building of the caravanserai in the old part of the city next to the Zion Church. There are 15 theaters in the city, including the State Opera and Ballet Theater, the aforementioned Drama Theaters. Rustaveli and Mardzhanishvili, Russian Drama Theater. A. Griboyedov, Armenian theater named after A. S. Shaumyan, theaters of the Musical Comedy, Pantomime, Puppets, etc. The theatrical life of the city was not interrupted even in the most difficult times of political turmoil and continues to develop. In recent years, several dozen new children's (folklore, etc.) musical and theatrical groups have been created.

In Tbilisi approx. There are 300 state general education and specialized schools, along with them there are several dozen private secondary educational institutions with a fairly high level of education. Of the 12 state higher educational institutions, the oldest is Tbilisi University (the first university in the South Caucasus), founded in 1918 by a group of scientists, the core of which were graduates of St. Petersburg University. The university gave rise to several dozen universities in the country, as well as the Academy of Sciences of Georgia. Along with state higher educational institutions, in recent years, some private universities have gained popularity (Black Sea University, Caucasian Business School, ESM - International School of Management, etc.).

There are over 100 libraries in the city. The most significant of them are the State Public Library and the Libraries of the Academy of Sciences and the State University. Tbilisi is the center of television and radio broadcasting. There are 9 state and private TV channels. The capital is also a center for publishing. Several dozen newspapers and magazines are published in Tbilisi, most of them in the Georgian language. Publishing activity has also revived after several years of decline.

However, the difficult economic situation still negatively affects the development of culture, science and education. It was especially reflected in Georgian cinema. Film studio Georgia-Film, located in Tbilisi, where many outstanding film works ( Soldier's father, Repentance and others), is now experiencing significant difficulties. Currently, the country is undergoing a reform of the system of science and education, the city authorities are making efforts to attract additional sources of funding to the social sphere as a whole, incl. in the field of science and culture.

Natia Revishvili, Ketevan Amirejibi

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, located in the heart of this mountainous country. Until 1936, this city was called Tiflis: under this name it can be found in the literary works of that period.

Territory of Tbilisi

The total area occupied by the city is about 350 square kilometers. It, in turn, is divided into six districts: Old Tbilisi, where the main city attractions are located, including districts with characteristic medieval buildings, as well as Vake-Saburtalo, Abanotubani, Isani-Samgori, Didube-Chugureti, Gldani-Nadzaladevi and Didgori districts.

From a geographical point of view, the city is located in the Tbilisi Basin of the same name - an elongated depression in a mountain range that is 7 kilometers wide and 21 kilometers long. The physical boundaries of the basin are formed by the Trialeti Range, the Saguram Range and the Iori Highlands. The formation of this basin is largely associated with the flow of the Kura River in it, which runs through the territory of the city.

Despite the fact that the city lies in a natural depression, its height above sea level is still significant: in different districts of Tbilisi it ranges from 380 to almost 800 meters above sea level. The nature of the area in which the city is located determines its high seismic activity, and the absence of large bodies of water in the immediate vicinity of Tbilisi - a dry subtropical climate.

Population of Tbilisi

The total population of the city today is quite significant - it is more than 1.1 million people. At the same time, more than 80% of the population in terms of ethnicity belongs to the Georgian nationality. The second largest ethnic group living within the city is the Armenians: their share exceeds 7% of the total population of the city. The share of the Russian population in Tbilisi is about 3%.

During the years of the Soviet Union, the share of the population belonging to the ethnic Russian group in the city was significantly higher: its maximum value, about 18%, it reached in the 1960s thanks to the industrialization program, within the framework of which a large number of qualified specialists moved to the city. However, later this source of replenishment of the group of the Russian population dried up, and it began to gradually decrease. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a significant part of the Russian population left Tbilisi, as a result of which the share of this category in the total population of Tbilisi was reduced to 3%.