Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. Its cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the “Mother of Georgia.” Tbilisi’s many celebrated churches include the post-Soviet Sameba Cathedral, 6th-century Anchiskhati Basilica and clifftop Metekhi Church, which overlooks the Mtkvari River. The city’s main boulevard, Rustaveli Avenue, is lined with upscale stores, cafes and museums. These institutes include the Georgian National Museum, with a vast collection of pre-Christian archaeological finds, and the National Gallery, displaying 20th-century and contemporary Georgian artworks. To the south, the neighborhood of Abanotubani is known for its dome-shaped sulphur bathhouses, many of which were built in the 17th century.
