Tbilisi - Mtskheta

Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Kura River with a population of roughly 1.5 million inhabitants. Tbilisi is known for its distinctive architecture, which reflects the city's storied past and comprises an eclectic mix of Medieval, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Stalinist and Modernist structures

Present-day Tbilisi is one of the safest cities in Europe and frequently ranks among the most popular emerging destinations thanks to Georgia's growing tourism industry

From left to right: the new Tbilisi Public Service Hall, the Sioni Church, the Bridge of Peace, the Music Theater and Exhibition Hall, the Presidential Palace

Tbilissi, wunderful and modern capital of Georgia

Kartlis Deda, or Mother Georgia. She symbolizes the Georgian national character: in her left hand she holds a bowl of wine to greet those who come as friends, and in her right hand is a sword for those who come as enemies

Tbilisi, city view from the statue of Mother Georgia

Bridge of Peace, Music Theater, Presidential Palace, Sameba Cathedral

Music Theater and Exhibition Hall. A pair of massive pipes that now lie there like two Ozymandian legs of steel

Metekhi Church, and the statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali

This is where Vakhtang Gorgasali built his palace, and the site’s first church, when he made Tbilisi his capital in the 5th century

The 1960s equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali occupy ....

.... the strategic rocky outcrop above the Metekhi Bridge

Vakhtang I Gorgasali or Vakhtang the Wolf Head (c. 439 or 443 – 502 or 522), of the Chosroid dynasty, was a king of Iberia

The 13th-century Metekhi Church looms over the Kura river in one of the oldest parts of Tbilisi

Houses still clung to the cliffs above the Kura river as they did centuries ago ....

.... looking as though they might suddenly lose their grip

Nariqala fortress, an ancient symbol of Tbilisi’s defence. The fortress was established in the 4th century. A theory says it was the name that Mongols used, meaning “little fortress”. In 1827 it was damaged by an earthquake and was not resorted

Bells in the courtyard of the Nariqala Church

Another Fortress: you can’t miss it if you look up on the hill above Tbilisi: a $50 million futuristic thingy, Ivanishvili’s own home, a Georgian businessman and politician who was Prime Minister of Georgia from 2012 to 2013

Freedom Square with the St. George Statue. It is the site of various mass public celebrations and demonstrations, including the Georgia’s Rose Revolution. In 2005 US. President George W. Bush came to Georgia to take part in the 60th anniversary ....

.... the end of World War II. During this event, Georgian-Armenian Vladimir Arutyunian threw a live grenade at President Bush in an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate him

The Bridge of Peace, a bow-shaped pedestrian bridge over the Kura River

The glass roof lit by more than 1,200 LEDs for maximum twinkle

The Orbeliani Baths in the ancient bath district of Abanotubani

Rezo Gabriadze´s old puppet theater, witch has been updated with a new clock tower

The covered balconies with their delicate latticework, a gift of the Ottomans

Romantic balcony shaded by ivy and vines

The Karmir Avetaran church. It was built in 17th century and was ruined on April 13 1989. According to the official version it was because of an earthquake but it is said that the church was detonated. It was the highest Armenian church in the city

A small canyon with waterfall under the baths quarter

Petrified tree amidst cliff away from the ancient bath district

An homage to Sayat Nova, considered as a great poet who made a considerable contribution to the Armenian poetry and music of his century

One of so many modern sculptures along the roads

Many restaurants offers very good and tasty food

Nocturnal mood over the Rike Park and the Bridge of Peace

Mtskheta

One of the oldest cities of Georgia, located approximately 20 kms north of Tbilisi at the confluence of the rivers Mtkvari (Kura) and Aragvi. It was a site of early Christian activity, and the location where Christianity was proclaimed the state religion of Kartli in 337. It remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) and Jvari Monastery (6th century) are amongst the most significant monuments of Georgian Christian architecture, and are historically significant in the development of medieval architecture throughout the Caucasus.

Mtskheta, at the confluence of the rivers Kura (in the middle) and Aragvi which flows from the north (right) direction Tbilisi (left) - In the center of the picture the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

Monument under which the robe of Jesus is said to have been buried

One of the frescoes of the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral