Beautiful historic interiors of Tbilisi: a full guide

State Academy of Arts

📍 Address: Griboedov, 22

The Tbilisi State Academy of Arts named after Apollon Kutateladze (1900-1972). In our opinion, this is the most beautiful interior in Tbilisi architecture. The building combines European and Oriental architectural elements. The main attraction of this monument is the so-called mirror halls, richly decorated by Iranian masters with decor characteristic of the interiors of Oriental palaces.

The building is designated as a monument of cultural significance in Georgia. The Georgian Academy of Fine Arts, as it was originally called, was founded in 1922. It was the first higher educational institution specializing in art in Georgia and the Caucasus. Between 1931 and 1933, the academy was closed due to repressions.

It is included in our program for entrance halls in the Mtatsminda district.

National Parliamentary Library of Georgia

📍 Address: Gudiashvili, 7

It currently occupies the building of the former Bank of the Nobility, built in 1913–1916 by the architect Anatoly Kalgin (a talented architect who devoted more than 40 years of his life to educating a generation of engineers and architects, and was one of the pioneers of studying Georgian historical architecture) and the artist Henryk Hryniewski (who was shot by the Soviets during the Polish operation).

Academician Vakhtang Beridze wrote: "The creative and pedagogical activities of Anatoly Kalgin won an honorable place in the development of Georgian Soviet architecture."

The interiors were decorated by the carver I. Mamatsashvili — he also decorated the interiors of the D. Sarajishvili house (which we will talk about later in the article).

Vorontsov Palace in Tbilisi

📍 Address: Rustaveli Avenue, 6

The Palace of the Viceroy in the Caucasus — the oldest building on this site and on the entire Golovin Avenue was erected in 1802 by the commander-in-chief in the Caucasus, prince Tsitsianov. Since then, the house has been rebuilt many times. The snow-white palace we see now was built in 1847 for the tsarist viceroy in the Caucasus, count Vorontsov, by the architect Semenov. In 1868, a restoration was carried out by Otto Simonson — he gave the palace its modern look.

The palace served not only as an office and residence for the Vorontsov family. Official receptions, balls, and ceremonies were held here. The elegance of the internal decoration of the palace is striking in its variety. Gilded patterns, bronze chandeliers, mirror inserts in the moldings — the interiors make your head spin. Take a look at the courtyard with the famous marble staircase leading to the garden. In this garden, back in 1828, a ball was held in honor of the wedding of Griboedov and Nino Chavchavadze. The windows of a small room occupied by Stalin's mother, Keke, during the last years of her life also looked out here.

In the palace building in the spring of 1918, the independence of Georgia was proclaimed, and a little later — that of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Constitution of Georgia was adopted here, and the Georgian flag was raised. With the arrival of the Bolsheviks, the palace became the government house. And from 1936, it became the pioneers' palace.

Now the Youth Palace and a small museum are located here.

Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater

📍 Address: Rustaveli Avenue, 25

The Zakaria Paliashvili Opera and Ballet Theater in the Neo-Moorish style. In 1896, the construction of the new so-called "state theater" was completed, designed by the architect V. Schroeter, which was designed for 1,200 people (this is today's opera building). The theater in Bayreuth by Richard Wagner was taken as a prototype for the theater plan. Zakaria Paliashvili's performance "Abesalom and Eteri" traditionally opened the season.

We highly recommend attending the performances.

Apollo Cinema

📍 Address: David Agmashenebeli Avenue, 135

Another masterpiece in the Art Nouveau style and one of the first cinemas in Tbilisi. In Soviet times, the cinema was called "Oktyabr" (October); after the collapse of the Union, its historical name was returned.

The architect of the Apollo cinema, one of the most notable Art Nouveau buildings erected at the intersection of David Agmashenebeli Avenue and Kargareteli Street at the beginning of the 20th century, remains unknown. However, the architectural decoration of the building reveals the work of European sculptors and masters living in Tbilisi. The German owner of the first structure built as a cinema in Tbilisi (1909) hired the German sculptor Karl Wills and the company Reisch to create the sculptural decor for his building. Later, the architectural plaster master A. Novak and the sculptor Karl Sautchek also participated in the project.

The plaster and sculptural ornaments were finished in 1914. They consisted of compositions of plate-like red garlands and wreaths, symbolic figures placed between the giant order of pioneers and large windows articulating the facades. This impressive Art Nouveau building is decorated with a cylindrical corner topped by a hemispherical dome. The plaster and gypsum decorations in the interior, made in the Art Nouveau and Neoclassical styles, are the works of the same masters.

Included in our program for entrance halls in the Chugureti district.

Palace of Prince Oldenburg

📍 Address: Kargareteli, 6

The palace, built in 1895, has been shrouded in legends since ancient times. The mansion belonged to the duke of Oldenburg and his spouse Agrafena Japaridze. Architect Paul Friedrich Stern. The facade of the building is decorated with the coat of arms of the Oldenburg family — a unicorn.

Now the building houses the State Museum of Theater, Music, Cinema, and Choreography of Georgia.

Writers' House or Sarajishvili Mansion

📍 Address: I. Machabeli, 7

The mansion of the famous industrialist, winemaker, and philanthropist David Sarajishvili was built in 1905 according to the project of the architect Carl Zaar. This is perhaps the most beautiful estate in the Sololaki district!

A magnificent courtyard with century-old trees, in which a cozy cafe operates during the summer. The chic interiors are executed in different styles — in some rooms, Art Nouveau (specifically Jugendstil) prevails as it does on the facade, while others are executed in the Moorish style, Baroque, or Rococo. On the veranda, there are famous tiles from Villeroy & Boch — the second of their kind was on the Titanic.

Sarajishvili (1848-1911) was the owner of several large alcoholic beverage productions, including cognac factories. He was practically a monopolist in the Russian Empire, a supplier to the imperial court, and the holder of the honorary title "Counselor of Commerce."

The estate housed a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, and other art objects. But the main treasure of the palace were the people who came to visit. David engaged in charity, providing scholarships for the education of talented youth, artists, and poets.

It can now be visited during an excursion to the entrance halls in the Sololaki district.

Rustaveli Theater

📍 Address: Rustaveli Avenue, 17

The Shota Rustaveli Theater, originally the building of the Tiflis Artistic Society. Built at the end of the 19th century, it served as the center of the city's social life. Balls, concerts, and receptions were held here.

It has borne the name of Shota Rustaveli since 1921, and was built in 1898–1901. Architects Aleksander Shimkevich and Kornely Tatishchev. This place allows you to feel the atmosphere of Tiflis during its peak period.

Many of these historical buildings are closed to free visiting or are difficult to find independently. We have included some of these places in our architectural excursions of Tbilisi, where you can see the interiors together with an architecture researcher and learn their history.