OLD TOWN TBILISI: history, architecture, people

Part of the tour takes place on the street. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.

A journey through Tbilisi, bringing to life the stories of the streets, squares, and people who created the unique appearance of this city.

We will trace how the city has changed — from its first fortress walls to its expansion, how streets appeared in place of rivers, and how the famous balconies, which serve an important social function, became the city's hallmark.

The tour will take us through the mosaic diversity of ethnic groups and religions, traditions that form the strong cultural framework of the city. 

You will see:

• a Catholic church where people once played ball
• underground shopping arcades and tunnels
• an Armenian cemetery in the very center of the city
• the theater in the former synagogue building
• the oldest bakery in the city
• where the main square of medieval Tbilisi was located

You will learn: 

• what appears on the dome of the Presidential Palace when the sun rises
• who the Mushi are, where they lived, and what craftsmen did in medieval Tiflis
• who lives in the largest communal apartment with 62 rooms
• why the Gabriadze Theater has such an unusual tower 
• why caravanserais have underground tunnels
• why the pheasant is the symbol of the city and why it is just a legend 
• where the “tamada” appeared in the city center
• Why was the street in the center called French? 
• What did Freedom Square look like 200 years ago? 
• Why are cellars sometimes 400 years older than buildings?

Who is it for: Those who are discovering Tbilisi for the first time and those who want to see familiar places from a new angle.

Duration: 3 hours

Where we start: Freedom Square, Galaktion Tabidze Street, house 2, near the city hall building (near the griffins).

Where we finish: at the sulfur baths.

Organizational details:

• It is not recommended to bring bulky items (backpacks, hand luggage);
• Radio guides will be used during the tour (for groups of 6 or more people), to which headphones provided by the guide will be connected. For convenience, you can use your own wired headphones (3.5 mm mini jack connector);
• You will recognize our guide by the sign that says "Engineer's View Tbilisi"; 
• Advance registration for the event is required! If you have any difficulties registering on the website, please email us at tbilisi@engineer-history.ru, and we will find a solution.