Tbilisi: Old Town, Bath District and City Life in Georgia

• Archaeological finds attest to human presence from the Eneolithic period through antiquity.
• According to tradition, King Vakhtang Gorgasali decided to develop the city in the second half of the 5th century.
• The Mtkvari divides Tbilisi into areas on its right and left banks.
• The Old Town includes Kala, Narikala, churches, mosques, bathhouses and historic trading streets.
• Much of the city was destroyed in 1795; many of the historic buildings visible today date from later centuries.

Tbilisi’s history reaches further back than its founding legend. According to Georgia’s tourism portal, archaeological finds date from the 4th to 3rd millennia BC through to antiquity. King Vakhtang’s decision to establish a capital here in the second half of the 5th century marks another important chapter. The familiar story of a pheasant, a falcon and hot springs belongs to legend; it explains the name Tbilisi, which is associated with the word “warm.”

The early settlements of Tpilisi and Kala developed on the right bank. Kala lay within fortified walls alongside Narikala Fortress and once included royal residences, churches and bathhouses. Squares and street names such as Silver Street, Iron Row and Bread Square recall the area’s crafts and trade. From the 5th century onward, the area around Meidani was a market and trading center. This history is still evident in the Old Town’s intricate street layout and place names.

The river divides the city into two distinct sides. Kala, the Old Town and the historic bath district lie on the right bank. On the left bank is the Isani district, including Avlabari, where the Metekhi Church and the former Darejan Palace are among the landmarks. The elevated Metekhi Church and the statue of King Vakhtang mark the river’s edge. A route between the two banks passes bridges and squares, revealing how older neighborhoods and newer buildings stand side by side.

The Bridge of Peace is a modern glass pedestrian crossing between older bridges. It stands in clear contrast to the Old Town’s narrow lanes and historic courtyards. The urban landscape brings together preserved houses, religious buildings, squares and newer routes across the river.

Abanotubani lies at the heart of the Old Town and is easy to recognize by its brick domes. Georgia’s tourism portal describes the baths as part of the city’s history and dates the distinctive domed buildings to the 17th century. Stories connect the hot springs with King Vakhtang’s decision to found Tbilisi. This tradition shapes local memory; the district’s historical importance is also reflected in its location, architecture and long-standing role as a gathering place.

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia. Mtskheta is a separate historic destination north of the capital. The location of accommodation affects travel between the city’s neighborhoods.

The Old Town is characterized by narrow, sometimes cobbled lanes, courtyards and religious buildings belonging to different communities. Georgian and Armenian churches, a mosque, a Catholic church and synagogues are all found in the historic urban landscape. This diversity reflects Tbilisi’s role as a place of trade and encounter. Much of the city was destroyed during the invasion of 1795, so today’s historic district preserves buildings from different periods. Rustaveli Avenue forms a distinct civic center, with the Parliament, opera house, theater and other public buildings.

Which historic house stands in Avlabari?

The 17th-century Porakishvili House is remembered as a rare example of a Georgian residence.