Tbilisi, Gori, Uplistsikhe, Kutaisi, Martvili, Khobi, and Zugdidi

September 27-29:

TBILISI:

Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. Its cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the “Mother of Georgia.”

Streets by Elizabeth’s and Garrett’s Apartment:

We started our Republic of Georgia trip by a short walk of the streets of the apartment of our daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Garrett.

Making and buying sourdough bread

Local Apple store

Street Art

Shopping for produce

Playing Backgammon on the street

Apartment gate

Walk in Old Town, Tbilisi:

We later went for a self-guided walk in Old Town, Tbilisi.

Erekle II Square (Wallace Fountain – modeled after Paris drinking fountains)

The “Tamada” (Toastmaster) Sculpture

Old Town Balconies

Old Town Courtyard

Art for Sale in a Courtyard

Old Town Gate

Sioni Cathedral

Sioni Cathedral Courtyard

Bread Shop Across from Sioni Cathedral

Jarvis Mama Church

Girl Riding a Ram Sculpture

Painted Directional Signs

Caravansaray

Shopping in Old Town

Puppet Shop

Tbilisi History Museum

Monument to the actress Sofiko Chiaureli

Sculpture of Sergei Parajanov (and original photo sculpture based on)

Bambis Rigi Street (Cotton Row)

Vakhtang Gorgasali Square with Narikala Fortress in the Background

I Love Tbilisi Sign

Monument to Mother of Kartli (Mother of Georgia)

Tbilisi Great Synagogue

Tbilisi Little Synagogue

Street Art

Meidan Underground Bazar

Ice Cream Stand in Old Tram

Lunch at PurPur, Old Town:

We had a nice lunch with Elizabeth at PurPur in Old Town.

Lunch at PurPur in Old Town

Pizza and Ice Cream for Dinner:

For dinner we all had good pizza at Ronny’s Pizza and later ice cream near Elizabeth’s and Garrett’s apartment.

Pizza and Ice Cream

Unusual Speed Limit Signs:

On the way out of Tbilisi by car, we noticed unusual speed limit signs.

Speed limit signs in Tbilisi

GORI:

Gori is one of the oldest cities in Georgia, founded in the 7th century as Tontio. Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin was born there. He spent his childhood years in the city and later studied at its theological seminary. The city’s legacy as Stalin’s birthplace has remained a source of local pride long after his death.

Stalin Home:

The Stalin home was made into almost a shrine by the U.S.S.R. during their rule in the 20th century. Many local Gori Georgians still look as Stalin as a “big man” from their town.

Stalin Home

Joseph Stalin Museum:

The Joseph Stalin Museum is a museum dedicated to the life of Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, who was born in Gori. The museum retains its Soviet-era characteristics.

Interrogation Room and Jail – Stalin Museum:

Added to provide more balance as the Museum overall glorifies Stalin’s accomplishments – however not visited by most tour groups – downstairs through a closed door.

Interrogation Room and Jail – Stalin Museum

Stalin Death Mask:

Stalin’s death mask is on display in the museum.

Stalin death mask, Stalin Museum

Stalin Souvenirs:

As are numerous souvenirs.

Stalin “souvenirs” in the gift shop, Stalin Museum

Empty Plinth for Stalin Statue – Gori City Hall:

Plinth used to hold large Stalin Statue, that used to stand outside Gori City Hall (removed in the middle of the night by the Georgian Government in 2010 after independence from U.S.S.R.)

Stalin Statue standing outside Stalin Museum:

This Stalin Statue outside the Stalin Museum still stands.

Stalin Statue

Stalin’s railway car – Stalin Museum:

Stalin’s railway car was bullet proof.

Stalin Railway Car

Lomtchabuki Statue (“Lion Man”):

Created in 1982 by the famous Georgian sculptor Elguja Amashukeli, represents a young man holding a sword while riding a lion into battle.

Lomtchabuki Statue (“Lion Man”)

Soviet era World War II Memorial:

The bronze wall murals, cross and names of those lost from Gori are memorials for World War II.

Soviet era World War II Memorial

Holy Archangels Church and Gori Fortress:

Holy Archangels Church celebrates the Archangels Gabriel and Michael.

Gori Fortress is a medieval fortress that lost its strategic importance since much of it was destroyed when Gori was incorporated into the Russian Empire in the 19th Century. Furthermore, much of the fortress was destroyed during an earthquake in 1920.

Holy Archangels Church and Gori Fortress

Memorial of Georgian War Heroes by sculptor Giorgi Ochiauri:

The warriors are missing limbs, heads, etc. which adds to the sculpture’s interest, at base of Gori Fortress.

Memorial of Georgian War Heroes by sculptor Giorgi Ochiauri

Lunch in Gori:

Soup of boiled cow stomach and legs – boiled for 6 hours – not our favorite…

Lunch in Gori

Gori Cathedral of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin:

According to historical sources, the church was built by Catholic missionaries. In 1628, Padre Ambrosio and his servant Petre came to Gori in order to hand over the holy relics of the martyred Queen Ketevan to King Teimuraz I.

The missionaries received a church from the king as a gift, whose renovation was completed in 1632. It was then renamed to St. Peter’s Church. King Teimuraz’s goodwill toward the missionaries later soured, and the church changed hands numerous times afterward. It was given its current look between 1806 and 1810.

Gori Cathedral of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin

Gori Public Service Hall:

Gori Public Service Hall

Ateni Sioni Church:

Church outside Gori. See the carvings on the exterior.

Ateni Sioni Church exterior

Ateni Sioni Church interior

UPLISTSIKHE:

Located in Eastern Georgia, Uplistsikhe (literally “Lord’s Fortress“) is an abandoned rock-hewn town, which once have played an important role in Georgian history. The place was founded in the late Bronze Age, around 1000 BC, and continued to be inhabited until 13th century AD. Between the 6th century BC and the 11st century AD, Uplistsikhe was one of the most important political and religious centers of pre-Christian Kartli – one of the predecessors of the Georgian state.

Archaeologists have unearthed numerous temples and findings relating to a sun goddess, worshipped prior to the arrival of Christianity. When Christianity arrived in Georgia, the city lost importance in favor of the new centers of Christian culture, most notably Mtskheta and Tbilisi.

Basilica and Cave Complex below

Basilica – St. George’s Church (10th Century)

Grand Temple

Hall of Queen Tamar

Hall of the Rules

Hall with Cassions

Makvliani Temple

Pharmacy

Red Halls

The Observatory

Throne Room

Other sights at Uplistsikhe

Prehistoric settlements below Uplistsikhe

Escape Tunnel

Fruit on the Side of the Road:

On the way to our next stop, our Georgian guide/driver George Zardiashvili decided to pick some wild fruit on the side of the road (it was hard – apple-like).

Guide/Driver picking wild fruit on the side of the road

KUTAISI:

One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, it is the third-most populous city in Georgia after Tbilisi and Batumi. It lies 221 kilometres (137 miles) west of Tbilisi, on the Rioni River, and is the capital of Imereti.

Colchis Fountain:

Monument in the central square of Kutaisi in Georgia that celebrates the ancient kingdom of Colchis with golden statues of animals and replicas of ancient Georgian figures including the Tamada.

Colchis Fountain

Merab Kostava Bust:

Merab Kostava was a Georgian dissident, musician and poet; one of the leaders of the National-Liberation movement in Georgia.

Merab Kostava Bust

Monument to Iakob Nikoladze:

Iakob Nikoladze was a Georgian nobleman, sculptor and artist.

Monument to Iakob Nikoladze

Animals along the Road:

On the way to our next stop, we saw animals along the road.

Animals along the Road

MARTVILI:

Martvili is a small town in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti province of Western Georgia. Its monastery was Samegrelo’s clerical center in the Middle Ages.

Martvili Monastery:

The monastery is situated on a small hill, and is also called Chkondidi, which, in the Mingrelian language, means “Big Oak” (chkoni means “oak”, and didi means “big”). The story behind this name is very interesting.

Long ago, the hill where the monastery now stands was a sacred place used for pagan rituals. On the top of the hill stood a large oak tree, which people worshipped as a symbol of prosperity and fertility. According to legend, human sacrifices were made under the branches of this oak tree. However, when Christianity came to Georgia, this sacred oak tree was cut down, and a church was built in its place. This church was named after St. Andrew, who preached Christ’s teachings in the region.

Cable Car to the Monastery

Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral

Side chapel, Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral

Prayer chapel on second floor (accessible by spiral staircase)

Bell tower with carvings

Chikvanebi Church

Martvili Monastery grounds

KHOBI:

Of interest are its old Soviet buildings and monuments.

Soviet era sculpture of Sun, Moon and Stars (Cosmos)

Khobi Culture House (history of Georgia)

ZUGDIDI:

Here you will find ancient settlements, historic fortresses and medieval temples. The most famous sightseeing of Zugdidi is the Dadiani Palace Museum, which impresses the visitor with the architecture and exhibits.

Lunch in Zugdidi:

Lunch wrap (spicy) in Zugdidi

Dadiani Palace Museum:

The museum complex includes the palace of the Samegrelo (West Georgia) Queen Ekaterine Chavchavadze-Dadiani and Prince Niko Dadiani, court church, and the botanic garden.

Dadiani Palace

Napoleon Bonaparte’s Death Mask

Statue of Akaki Chanturia – Scientist and Public Figure

Wedding (see the crowns on the groom and bride),
Blachernae Virgin Church, Dadiani Palace grounds

Taking a break at Dadiani Palace

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