Four top attractions

From Golden Age doorways to merchant-built mansions, the Georgian capital is home to a plethora of little-explored cultural and architectural gems

1 BEAUTIFUL MEDIEVAL BUILDINGS

Tbilisi’s landscape is an expression of the city’s diversity: a tapestry of art nouveau and neoMoorish elements that reveals centuries of Silk Road heritage. The Old Town, known as the Kala district, is home to the breathtaking fourthcentury Narikala Fortress. Head towards the Ateshgah Zoroastrian Fire Temple and sixthcentury Anchiskhati Basilica, then walk the winding alleys behind the ancient city wall.

2 BALCONIES & ART NOUVEAU DOORS

Old Tbilisi is home to a plethora of florid balconies and lavish doorways. Art nouveau elements appeared in the city as early as the beginning of the 20th century, and were augmented with local flourishes, including wooden balconies. A trip down Agmashenebeli Avenue in NeuTiflis, a German colony that was absorbed into the city in the 1820s, reveals a cast of characterful portals.

3 COURTYARDS & MERCHANT HOUSES

Old Tbilisi is dotted with gardens, wells, covered walkways and courtyards. Elsewhere, mansions in the Sololaki and Chugureti districts are treasure troves of twisting iron staircases and ceramic floor tiles, while the restored former home of famous Georgian industrialist Erasti Chavchanidze sports frescoes inspired by the Georgian epic poem The Knight in the Panther’s Skin.

4 ECLECTIC ARCHITECTURE

Tbilisi has worn many hats over the centuries: Arab emirate, Iranian vassal,

Russian gubernia. The city’s architecture — low, stone buildings with fluted balconies, passages and internal courtyards — reflects this mix. Charming, tumbledown houses can be found on the winding alleys behind the old city wall.

ABOVE FROM TOP: Sulphur baths and historic buildings in Abanotubani district; an ornate staircase