The charm of old Tbilisi

The dry bridge rises above the former arm of the Kura, which was then drained. Hence the name. It was built a century and a half ago by an Italian architect.
At that time, the bridge was carrying people to Madata Island, which, in turn, belonged to the princes of Orbeliani. That's why they built the bridge over the Kura in this place. And then, when the river was drained in the 1930s, the bridge got its present name.

Right behind the dry bridge begins the famous flea market. This market is for aficionados, but it is on the list of Tbilisi attractions.
Of course, you can't buy one thing at a time, and sometimes tourists can buy something from the past that they like by accident. We are not fans of antiques, but we were interested in two things.

Let's go to Zakhar Zakharych for lunch! The khinkali here are so delicious! And the salads are delicious not only from fresh, but also from pickled vegetables... Each restaurant has its own twist, but everywhere is delicious and welcoming!

Which street in Tbilisi will lead to Freedom Square? Of course, Rustaveli Avenue! And also many other streets that run off in this old city from the main square with such a loud name.
In the old days the square had a market place and a headquarters - just a classic example of a medieval European town. And the first caravanserai and the first theater emerged on this ancient square, and Alexander Pushkin lived nearby (Pushkin Street, which also originates from this square, does not let us forget about it), and the famous robbery of the State Bank in 1907 happened here, sheer history, in a word.
Now in the middle of the square there is a beautiful column with St. George the Victorious, the patron saint of Georgia, and it's quiet and peaceful on the square. Walk and explore, and the Pushkin Square is nearby.

In the heart of old Tbilisi is the Narikala fortress. It was the most impregnable structure on the trade route.
The fortress is very old, in the IV century it is already mentioned in the sources. Later it was rebuilt and expanded. It was badly damaged by an earthquake in the early 19th century. You can get there by cable car. The views from the fortress are just delightful!

St. Nicholas Church was built on the site where the XII century Church of St. George, ruined by the Persians at the end of the XVIII century, stood. Then, in an earthquake in 1827, it was badly damaged and only in 1996 the church was rebuilt.

The Tbilisi Botanical Garden is very close to the Narikala fortress. The garden is unique in its composition - it grows exotic, coniferous and deciduous trees, and is located in the valley of the river Legvta-Hevi. It used to be called the Tsar's Garden.
Now the park has many trails for walking, with bridges across the river, a waterfall, and an abundance of flowers. The park openwork bridge is one of the oldest buildings in Tbilisi. This bridge was a part of the road from Iran to Mtskheta during the reign of Queen Tamara. The slender cypress trees line the walkways. In the heat it is very pleasant to plunge into the coolness of the garden, and in the spring the garden is fragrant with blooming plants.

Just a 10-minute walk from the botanical garden is Gorgasali Square, locals call it the old-fashioned Maidan. It is the very center of the old city. It used to be a trading square with its own traditions: from morning until lunch, the townspeople bought goods from the peasants and only in the afternoon were wholesalers allowed to buy. The square is now surrounded by restored old houses and cozy cafes.

Old Tbilisi is the historical part of the city, there are so many monuments of architecture! Crooked narrow streets, old houses with carved balconies, a fortress, bathhouses - you just plunge into the depths of centuries and penetrate into the atmosphere and spirit of the old city.

Metehi Bridge connects the Old Town and Metehi. The bridge over the Kura, in the historic part of the city. King Vakhtang Gorgasali, who founded Tbilisi, towers over the Kura River on a monument and blesses the city and his people.

After passing the Metech Bridge, we find ourselves on Europe Square. It is relatively new, with a large flower bed in the center. The square adjoins Rike Park. From Europe Square there is a beautiful view of the Old Town.

And here is the most modern bridge in Tbilisi, the Peace Bridge. It connects the past with the present, Irakli II Street with Rike Park. The very beautiful, openwork bridge blends seamlessly into the city's appearance.
The bridge is pedestrian, covered with a glass dome. It looks beautiful and at dawn, and daytime, and in the evening - with lighting. The author is Italian Michele de Lucchi.

After admiring the views from the bridge and the bridge itself, we go to dinner. A very atmospheric restaurant with good food. We continue to learn about Georgian cuisine. Enjoyed the wine, veal chanakhi, and a whole arsenal of accompanying dishes. A restaurant for big companies and couples in love.

We walked around Tbilisi all day today! It's time for a rest.