TBILISI

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and is situated in the east of Georgia in the foothills of the Trialeti mountain range.The city itself is located in a long valley along both banks of the River Mtkvari. The Mtkvari is the largest river in Georgia with its source in Turkey it flows into Georgia from the south, through the south and east of Georgia and into Western Azerbaijan where it is known as the Kura River.
According to Georgian legends, Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali whose original capital was in Mskheta now known as the old capital of Georgia and located some 20km west of Tbilisi. Tbilisi is famous for its sulphur bathswhich come from its hot water springs. Legend has it that during a hunting trip near present day Tbilisi,King Vakhtang shot and killed a hawk which when it was found appeared to have been boiled as it had fallen into a hot spring. King Vakhtang was so impressed that he set up his new capital soon after.
The name Tbilisi comes from the Georgian word “tbili” which means warm.

Tbilisi old town is a fascinating cultural hub featuring numerous Orthodox Churches, a synagogue, an Armenian church, a mosque, a Catholic church not to mention the sulphur baths, the newly renovated Zakaria Pailashvili Operan and Ballet State Academic Theatre, the Narikala Fortress which dates from the 4th century, a multitude of museums and much more.
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