What is the name of the bridge over the Kura? Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi: photos, videos, interesting facts
The Bridge of Peace appeared in Tbilisi not so long ago - in May 2010, but has already gained enormous popularity. After completion of construction and commissioning, almost every Tbilisi resident hurried to the bridge to photograph themselves next to modern history cities.
The bridge is indeed quite unusual for the city. From a distance, it looks like a transparent glass and steel structure, reminiscent of a huge fishing net thrown across the Kura River. The bridge connects the old historical part of the city with new areas - and this is very symbolic, as if different eras are connecting. On one side of the bridge there is the architecture of the past, on the other - modern Tbilisi.
The style of the bridge is very similar to high-tech creations - mesh metal shells covered with glass panels. The Peace Bridge was designed by Italian architect Michele De Lucchi together with French lighting specialist Philippe Martinaud. The illumination built into the bridge is unusual in its design. This is an entire interactive lighting system of thirty thousand light bulbs and two hundred and forty sensors. They convey messages in a specific way, which change on the parapets of the bridge every hour. The message is written using a universal language, Morse code.
The construction of such an unusual bridge in Tbilisi caused excitement among local population. Part of the city's population did not agree with the idea of building a modern structure next to ancient architecture. The other part of him was not against radical changes in the architectural appearance, believing that the Peace Bridge would become the same calling card of the city as the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
One way or another, the Peace Bridge was built and at its opening, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said: “This bridge symbolizes Georgia’s path from the past to a better future. This is the bridge between great history country and its present."
This is true. Residents cherish the cozy atmosphere of old Tbilisi. Preserving the heritage of our ancestors is in the blood of the people of Georgia. But changes in the form of architectural novelties that are not typical of conventional architecture still come. Either modern buildings, or this glass bridge. And, probably, they will continue to come, because society is developing, technology does not stand still, and Georgia, like European country, strives for a better future.
The Bridge of Peace is one of the grandiose buildings in the capital of Georgia for Lately. The unusual architecture of Tbilisi conveys both the state and the country's determination to make significant changes in order to become one of the leading countries in Europe.
Place for photo shoots of newlyweds Tbilisi
Georgia is one of the countries that, by its example, proves how you can develop and keep up with the times, while maintaining its flavor and not forgetting about cultural traditions. , modern architecture skillfully combines with the beauty of the old city, leaving no dissonance in the soul from the mixture of styles. One of the city's calling cards was the Bridge of Peace, opened on the day of St. George, the country's heavenly protector, on May 6, 2010.
Every evening before sunset the illumination turns on glass bridge over Mtvkari, opening another message to the guests and residents of Tbilisi. Every hour, thirty thousand light bulbs blink, adding up to the names of the chemical elements that make up the body of every person, regardless of his skin color, gender, or religious beliefs. Thus, the Bridge of Peace in Georgia not only connects the opposite banks of the Kura River, but also unites people, reminding us of how little racial labels or gender stereotypes mean. The message The Bridge of Peace can be read by a person from any country, as it is written using the universal Morse code.
Architectural tensions
Local residents were not immediately imbued with the philosophical message of the bridge over the Kura River. The modern building made of glass and metal, no matter how poetic its name, did not inspire respect among the Georgians, who zealously preserve centuries-old foundations and traditions. Many residents of the capital protested against its construction, just as at one time the residents of Paris were outraged by the construction of the famous metal tower. Nowadays, it is impossible to imagine the capital of France without Eiffel’s openwork creation, and every tourist is sure to take a photo against its background. Even now, despite the ambiguity of opinions and reviews, the Peace Bridge in Tbilisi is also one of the photo points for photographing newlyweds.
The bridge over the river really looks impressive. About one and a half hundred meters long and 5 meters wide, it seems weightless and practically floats above the Kura River thanks to four almost imperceptible supports. Unusual wave-like curves, a glass ceiling that looks more like meshes of fishing nets or a futuristic beehive and lighting that changes its pattern by the hour - all this turns the bridge into an art object that is ideal for a souvenir photo.
An interesting fact is that the locals nicknamed the bridge over the Kura River “gasket” for its shape, similar to a well-known brand of feminine hygiene products. Through disparaging descriptions, residents showed their indignation at the modern design, which, to their taste, did not match the appearance of ancient Tbilisi. And the new building of the Exhibition Center nearby, in Rike Park, is called “two chimneys” by the locals - the biting, original names are passed on to the people and take root there for the amusement of city guests.
View from the outside
You can view the bridge from several points in the city:
- from Mount Sololaki, which leads cable car. There are two at the top observation decks, as well as a restaurant where you can have a snack and admire Tbilisi;
- from the stairs of Rike Park. An additional bonus will be the view of the singing fountains illuminated in the evening;
- from the boat, during boat trip according to Mtvkari.
The Bridge of Peace, although built quite recently, has already become an integral symbol of Tbilisi. And when visiting the capital of Georgia, you should definitely take time to enjoy the view of this amazing structure, in the rays of dawn or in the brilliance of lights at dusk, and be sure to walk along it, maneuvering between admiring tourists.
Today, across Tbilisi, there are more than ten bridges across the Kura River. Of these, some of the oldest are Metekhi, Galaktion, Baratashvili, Saarbrücken, Sukhoi and 300 Aragvins. The rest were built relatively recently: the Queen Tamar Bridge, Vakhushti Bagrationi, Ponichalsky Bridge, Digomsky, Isansky, Gldani, Mtskheta and the Peace Bridge.
Bridge. What a short word and how many associations come to mind! Build bridges, destroy, restore, throw over, burn... Burn - do not leave the slightest chance for continuation, for returning to the past. Put a big, bold dot. Not out of cowardice or cowardice, but out of a desire to change life. Thus, cutting off their path to retreat, warriors in ancient times burned bridges behind them. And at that time bridges were built from wood. Over time, they were replaced with stone ones. An interesting situation: the bridges have changed, but the expression remains. It has lost its original meaning and acquired a figurative meaning. And this is not the only expression used figuratively in relation to these architectural structures.
© Sputnik / Alexander Imedashvili
To emphasize that relations are broken and there are no ways of rapprochement, they say: the bridges have been opened. The process of building bridges is reminiscent of an episode from the fairy tale about Cinderella. The only difference is that in the fairy tale, after midnight, a carriage turns into a pumpkin, and in St. Petersburg, ancient bridges turn into a pumpkin. And not into a pumpkin, but into a children's construction set. The bridge is divided in half, and its wings, hanging in the air like toys, freeze in immobility. Right before your eyes, the multi-ton colossus, through which transport had just thundered past, acquires airy lightness.
The bridge is a sacred place. You walk along it, you walk, and suddenly for some reason you begin to slow down. You stop, peer into the water and think about important and eternal things. Who knows what motivates a person at these moments...
Galaktion Bridge - Memories Outpost
When you are born in a city where there is a flow in the very center big river, the bridges spanning it cease to be ordinary for you stone structures. Each of them is a part of you and your memories. The current Galaktion Bridge, formerly called the Verian Bridge, is closest to me than all the others. Apparently because he trampled more than the others. We lived then in an old Tbilisi courtyard on Marjanishvili Street, from there it’s a stone’s throw to Rustaveli Avenue. In the evenings, when my mother came home from work, we went with her to the Funicular. To get there, it was enough to cross the bridge, overcome the Elbakidze rise and, once on Rustaveli Avenue, cross to the opposite side.
© Sputnik / Levan Avlabreli
On the other side of the avenue there was a cable car leading to Mount Mtatsminda. Today the station is abandoned. They say that it was closed after the accident and will be restored, but they do not specify when. Now on the approaches to it, on the steps of the Academy of Sciences building, sit artists, minters, and souvenir sellers. Our ritual of climbing the Holy Mountain was repeated twice a week in the summer. And the route always ran exactly along this same trajectory - a bridge, an ascent, an underground passage. This one is big and wide bridge I still perceive it as part of the cherished path to my favorite place.
National Library of Georgia
The predecessor of today's Galaktion Bridge was built in 1885 according to the design of the architect Umansky. Serious battles unfolded around the construction of the bridge in those days. Some experts believed that the construction of the Mukhrani bridge was much more important than the Veri bridge. As a result, thanks to the efforts of General Karganov and businessman Rotinov, whose lands were close to the future bridge, the choice was made in favor of Veriisky. Veriya Bridge acquired special meaning after the ascent was built from the current Rustaveli Avenue. The bridge connected Golovinsky Avenue, present-day Rustaveli, the Vera district and the railway station.
National Library of Georgia
Time passed. The city was changing, and with it the need for movement grew. The bridge, whose width did not exceed ten meters, could no longer cope with the new loads. Therefore, in 1952, a new, three-arch bridge appeared on this site. It is he who has survived to this day.
© Sputnik / Levan Avlabreli
"Youth" on a middle-aged bridge
The Mukhrani bridge was still built, only a little later, in 1911. The bridge project was developed back in 1882 by the architect Umansky, the author of the Veriysky Bridge project. In the same year, engineer Gageimeister built a ferry crossing in this place, connecting Mukhranskaya Street and Tsitsianovsky Rise. Ferry crossing could not replace the bridge, but it was still built. True, already according to the design of the architect Paton. This is a powerful metal structure that has no analogues.
But to the fathers of Soviet urban planning unique bridge I didn’t like it, and in 1965 they decided to replace it with a new one. They also changed the name of the bridge - they began to call it the bridge named after Nikoloz Baratashvili. Today's building does not represent any architectural value. The only decoration of this typically Soviet example of modernism can be considered funny sculptures. The author of the sculptural compositions called “Youth” is Georgiy Japaridze.
© Sputnik / Levan Avlabreli
How to spend six bridges on dresses and hats
There is another old bridge in Tbilisi. Today it is called the bridge of 300 Aragvinians. This bridge has an interesting history. Initially, a wooden, single-span bridge arose during times of change and active development of Tiflis in 1852. It was built by an entrepreneur named Mnatsakanov. They say the bridge cost the Armenian businessman 25 thousand rubles. And then, more than once, reproaching his family for spending, he said: “You spent a quarter of the money allocated for the construction of the bridge.” Although, there is another version of the construction of the Mnatsakanovsky Bridge, according to which the entrepreneur had little to do with its creation. Following an alternative version, the bridge was built along an already trodden overpass. The first crossing on this section of the Kura dates back to the 15th century. The bridge was then called Kakheti and was used for driving cattle. It existed until the destructive invasion of Shah Abbas in the 17th century. And then a new bridge was built on this site in the 19th century. There were brave souls who acquired the rights to use this crossing and set a fee for it. According to information, the amount exceeded all reasonable limits. Entrepreneur Mnatsakanov decided to make life easier for the townspeople. He bought the bridge from the owners and handed it over to the city. One way or another, the bridge was named after him. It was the newest bridge built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Mention of him is also found in the work of the famous writer, director and screenwriter Agasi Ayvazyan, born in Georgia.
National Library of Georgia
“In the middle of Tiflis is Kura. There are six bridges on it - Mikhailovsky, Veriisky, Mukhrani, Avlabarsky, Metekhisky and the most significant - Mnatsakanovsky. It was built for twenty-five thousand rubles and presented to the city by Mr. Mnatsakanov. This gave him the right to be called an honorary citizen of Tiflis. They say that from that day on he counted his money in bridge units. “Today I won two bridges at the stock exchange.” He reproached his daughter like this: “I spent six bridges on your dresses and hats.” London... He stroked his boulanger beard, imagining the Mnatsakanov Bridge near London's Waterloo - wow, good! One of the most important features of this bridge was that Khecho Chopurov lived under it. He was from the village of Shinikh. little, his father - Chopur Etimov - told him amazing stories for the coming sleep, he told what, in his opinion, little Khecho should have dreamed about. But he only told the first half, leaving Khecho to finish the second half in his sleep. And the son fell asleep. But he never saw what his father did not tell him. Then, much later, when Khecho grew up and began to sleep under the Mnatsakaiovsky bridge, he realized that this life of his was that second half of the dream... This bridge above his head, the cold that wafted from the Kura, distant sounds and voices that had no connection nothing to do with him... Mr. Mnatsakanov! Gentlemen! You live comfortably and comfortably. You have everything - what you need and what you don't need. You, gentlemen, have warm place where you can sleep, money, food... You, gentlemen, and you, Mr. Mnatsakanov, lack one thing - an unhappy person who is cold, hungry, who is destined by fate itself to be unhappy. You need a person so that at night, after eating a hearty meal and climbing into bed, you can remember and compare with yourself. You need such a comparison in order to more fully feel your well-being, your contentment, your soft bed, your healthy, velvety skin, your happiness... And this person is here, Hecho. Come under the bridge and you will see it... Khecho did not have and will not have anything. He even gave up his own desires for the sake of the desires of other people... Even what he did not have, he gave to the first person who wanted it... All his life he was cold and endured inconvenience. Hecho commits himself to you. Take it - and you will feel your bed even more comfortable and your life even more secure...”
In 1952, the Mnatsakanovsky Bridge was demolished and a new one was built in its place. At the same time, the Ortachal hydroelectric power station was built in this area.
Which bridge did people walk on, and which did donkeys walk on?
But, of course, the most ancient of all is the Metekhi Bridge. In 2014, it was renamed the Bridge of 100 Thousand Holy Martyrs. People, from old memory, continue to call him Metekhi. It is difficult to say for certain when the first Metekhi bridge was built. Based on a specific historical episode, the bridge already existed in the 13th century. Throughout the history of its existence, Georgia has been subject to enemy attacks. Sultan of Khorezm Jalal-ed-Din invaded Georgia in 1227. The invaders decided to begin their victorious march by desecrating the main Christian shrine in the city. The Sultan ordered to remove the dome of the Zion Temple and put his own throne in its place and remove the icons of the Mother of God and the Savior from the temple. The order was carried out. The icons were placed in the middle of the bridge over the Mtkvari (Kura) River and the city residents were ordered to walk across them. Death awaited those who refused to trample on sacred objects. One hundred thousand Georgians who refused to trample on the icons were beheaded and thrown into the Kura River.
National Library of Georgia
This story formed the basis for the name of the bridge. The Metekhi Bridge has been rebuilt several times. Until 1870 it was made of wood. The bridge underwent its last renovation in 1951. During the same period, they “finished off” the Avlabari Bridge, which ran close to Metekhi. The Avlabari Bridge, unlike the Metekhi Bridge, was passable. It was prescribed to cross the Metekhi Bridge exclusively on foot or on horseback. Apparently, that’s why the townspeople dubbed it the donkey.
© Sputnik / Levan Avlabreli
Two bridges and one island
And another old bridge - Saarbrücken. However, this citizen is called this way only according to his passport. People continue to call him Vorontsovsky. The bridge adjoins Vorontsovskaya Square, therefore it is quite logical that the bridge bore the name of the governor. And Mikhail Semenovich Vorontsov himself towered in the middle of the square. More precisely, not himself, but a monument to him. The residents of Tiflis erected it with their own money. So great was the gratitude of the townspeople for his good deeds. The monument stood on this site until the arrival of Soviet power. The new rulers sent the monument to the dustbin of history, consigning Vorontsov’s contribution to oblivion.
National Library of Georgia
Vorontsovsky Bridge was built in 1854. The original project belonged to Giovanni Scudieri. But the architect died, and engineer Blix continued work on the project. In those days, Mtkvari had several branches. They either connected into one channel, or diverged, forming an island. One of these islands was called Madatovsky, after the surname of the owner, Prince Valerian Grigorievich Madatov. The prince maintained sawmills on the island. Rafts plied along the Kura River, delivering material for sawmills. But the island was not connected to land. The bridge that was being built consisted of two parts. Big Bridge across the river, which connected the left bank of the Kura with Madatovsky Island, and a short one, thrown across a narrow branch of the river and connecting this island with the right bank. Time passed, the river in this place became shallow, and they decided to dry the sleeve. The Kura was dried up, but the bridge remained and with the light hand of the Tiflis residents it began to be called Sukhoi. Today it is one of the most famous tourist places- The Flea Market is located on the Dry Bridge.
National Library of Georgia
It's all about old bridges. And in Tbilisi, in addition to historical buildings, there are also new ones. The pedestrian “Bridge of Peace” opened in 2010 and immediately caused heated discussions. The reaction to the creation of Italian architect Michele De Lucci exceeded all expectations. This arched structure made of metal and glass has not been compared with anything. They called it a gasket, a new symbol of the city, and even Eiffel Tower y. But several years passed, and the bridge turned into one of the city's landmarks. Tourists liked the Bridge of Peace. An interesting illumination system is built into the design of the bridge: in the evening and at night, every hour, 30 thousand light bulbs broadcast a message in Morse code, visible on both parapets of the bridge. It is composed of the names of the elements of the periodic table that make up the human body. According to the architect himself, “this message is a hymn to life and peace between people and nations.”
© Sputnik / Levan Avlabreli
Time will pass and “Bridge of Peace”, just like the others, will become part of history...
BRIDGE OF PEACE
“The bridge symbolizes Georgia’s path from the past to a better future. This is a bridge between the great history of the country and its present” (M. Saakashvili).
Bridge of Peace- this is a very beautiful, original building, which was built quite recently, or rather in 2010, in the capital of Georgia - Tbilisi. This bridge is intended only for pedestrians and connects two districts of the city - Irakli II Street in Old Tbilisi and Rike Park in the Avlabar district. The Bridge of Peace is spread over the Kura River.
At some distance on both sides of the Peace Bridge there are two more bridges. This is Metekhi, which is considered the very first bridge built across the Kura River in Tbilisi, and the Baratashvili Bridge, built after the demolition of the more ancient Mukhrani Bridge.
The very idea of building the bridge belongs to Georgian President M. Saakashvili, and the creator of the project was the architect and designer from Italy Michele De Lucchi. Today he has his own company, which carries out the development and construction of facilities around the world. Michele's buildings and projects are recognized the best objects in many countries, and its buildings constantly receive numerous international awards and prizes of the highest rank.
But not only the Bridge of Peace was developed by Michele in Georgia. This person participated in the design of such objects as the buildings of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Avlabari residence of the President. And they all turned out to be very unusual, incredibly surprising and attractive.
The Peace Bridge itself looks a little unusual and surprisingly beautiful. Of course, for the Old City with its temples and churches, this is a completely unusual structure, but many townspeople are simply in love with their new bridge. Not a single wedding ceremony is complete without a photo session of the newlyweds on the bridge, not a single tourist walk around the city is complete without visiting the Peace Bridge. And now get to Rike Park, which is very popular local residents, it has become much easier and more convenient - you just need to cross the bridge. But Rike Park is also a great place for tourist walks. It simply cannot be boring here. And it was the Bridge of Peace that this place lacked so much in order to attract even more city guests and the townspeople themselves.
The Peace Bridge itself was assembled in this park, and during its assembly, few could imagine what this unusual structure would look like. After the bridge was assembled, it was moved and a glass dome was installed on top, which no other bridge in the world has. The length of the bridge frame is 156 meters. It is made of steel, and the entire powerful structure, including the beautiful glass dome, is supported by 4 powerful supports.
But the most amazing thing is how this bridge glows at night! And it doesn’t just glow, but harmoniously fits into the night panorama of Tbilisi.
And Tbilisi at night is a completely different city. And every tourist, every guest of Tbilisi who saw the city illuminated at night will certainly tell their friends and family about it with great delight. After all, Tbilisi at night is not just a chaotic glow of lights and illumination. This is a real miracle that was created by human hands. A miracle that attracts you so much and the sight of which is simply impossible to tear yourself away from!
The lighting of the bridge was done under the direction of designer Philippe Martinaud. And this lighting is no less original than the bridge itself. The thing is that every hour exactly 30 thousand light bulbs begin to transmit a message in the form of Morse code in which the message is encrypted. And the message itself consists of the names of the elements of the periodic table that are present in the human body. In the body of every person living in this world. That is why the bridge got its name - Bridge of Peace, and its idea is to unite all nations into a single whole, because each person consists only of particles of a wide variety of chemical elements.
Looking at this unusual bridge, which was created in the best traditions of hi-tech, it is difficult not to remember another unusual structure that was once built in France, in Paris. Yes, we are talking about the world famous Eiffel Tower. After all, once this huge structure was also surrounded by ancient houses, temples and churches, but over time it became a real symbol of Paris. And now it is difficult to imagine the capital of France without this creation. Maybe someday, this one, unusual in its architecture Peace Bridge will also become a symbol of Tbilisi, and will also occupy one of the first places in its guidebooks.
