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Tbilisi

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Tbilisi is the capital and largest city of Georgia.

Fortress and Old Town of Tbilisi at dusk, Tbilisi, Georgia
Fortress and Old Town of Tbilisi at dusk, Tbilisi, Georgia

It sits on the banks of the Kura River. More than 1.3 million people live in this busy city. This number is almost one third of the whole country's population.

Tbilisi City Council, Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi City Council, Tbilisi, Georgia

Because it sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, it is a very important place. The city is a major route for trade and energy projects today.

Tbilisi-Aghmashenebeli-08-113-2019-gje
Tbilisi-Aghmashenebeli-08-113-2019-gje

The name Tbilisi means "the place of warmth."

Leghvtakhevi or Abanotubani, Tbilisi ლეღვთახევი 17
Leghvtakhevi or Abanotubani, Tbilisi ლეღვთახევი 17

This name comes from the many hot sulfuric springs in the area. A famous legend tells how the city began in the fifth century. King Vakhtang I was out hunting with a falcon. The bird caught a pheasant, but both fell into a hot spring. The king liked the warm water so much he decided to build a city there.

Throughout history, many different powers wanted to rule Tbilisi. It was fought over by the Roman Empire and the Persian Empire. Later, the Arab armies ruled and even started a mint to make coins.

Tbilisi old city walls 20
Tbilisi old city walls 20

In 1122, King David IV took the city back. He made Tbilisi the capital of a unified Georgian state. This started a time called the Georgian Golden Age. During this time, the city became a huge center for art and culture.

Tiflis - Angelino Dulcert - 1339
Tiflis - Angelino Dulcert - 1339

In 1801, the Russian Empire took control of the region.

During this time, the city was often called Tiflis in English. Russian leaders built new roads and railroads to connect the city to other places. They also built a new city plan with many different styles of buildings. You can see this in the architecture today. The city has many styles, like Art Nouveau and Stalinist designs.

Lermontov TiflisGLM
Lermontov TiflisGLM

Today, Tbilisi is a place where many different cultures meet. Most people there are Eastern Orthodox Christians.

Sameba Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Dusk, Tbilisi, Georgia
Sameba Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Dusk, Tbilisi, Georgia

Visitors come from all over to see famous sights. They visit the Narikala Fortress or the beautiful Sameba Cathedral.

National Opera House. Tbilisi, Georgia
National Opera House. Tbilisi, Georgia

You can also walk down Rustaveli Avenue to see museums. The city remains a lively hub for people and trade.

Tbilisi City Council, Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi City Council, Tbilisi, Georgia
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🖼️ Images & Media (28)
File:La plus ancienne église de la ville - panoramio.jpg
La plus ancienne église de la ville -...
File:Tbilisi old city walls 20.jpg
Tbilisi old city walls 20.jpg
File:Tiflis - Angelino Dulcert - 1339.jpg
Tiflis - Angelino Dulcert - 1339.jpg
File:03 Chardin Tblisi 1671.jpg
03 Chardin Tblisi 1671.jpg
File:Teflis Tournefort.png
Teflis Tournefort.png
File:Coat of arms of Tiflis Governorate 1878.svg
Coat of arms of Tiflis Governorate 1878.svg
File:Lermontov TiflisGLM.jpg
Lermontov TiflisGLM.jpg
File:Red Army in Tiflis Feb 25 1921.jpg
Red Army in Tiflis Feb 25 1921.jpg
File:Tbilisi City Council, Tbilisi, Georgia.jpg
Tbilisi City Council, Tbilisi, Georgia.jpg
File:Tbilisi-Aghmashenebeli-08-113-2019-gje.jpg
Tbilisi-Aghmashenebeli-08-113-2019-gje.jpg
File:Seal of Tbilisi, Georgia.svg
Seal of Tbilisi, Georgia.svg
File:Fortress and Old Town of Tbilisi at dusk, Tbilisi, Georgia.jpg
Fortress and Old Town of Tbilisi at dusk,...

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