The front room in the house of merchant Kalantarov: ethnic ornaments and lace moldings.
The article describes the legendary mansion of merchant Nikolai Kalantarov, who is known for interesting legends and myths about his family, children, connections with Niko Pirosmani and Lavrenty Beria. The front doors in the house delight travelers: painted ceilings, glass balconies, antique fireplaces and stoves and marble stairs. Special attention should be paid to the courtyard of the mansion.
Go to the legendary mansion of the merchant Kalantarov⬇️
- The famous Kalantarov Mansion in Tbilisi
- The first front door: entrance from Machabeli Street
- Second front door: entrance from Asatiani Street
- The mysterious history and myths about the house of Kalantarov
Georgia attracts travelers from all over the world with a mysterious history that leaves an irresistible mark on art. The XIX-XX centuries became significant for Tbilisi, and the culture and architecture of that time inevitably reflected on the luxurious state rooms of the city.
One of the most beautiful houses in the capital of Georgia is the mansion of merchant Nikolai Kalantarov.
The famous Kalantarov Mansion in Tbilisi
In the historical district of Tbilisi, on Ivan Machabeli Street 17, there is a magnificent mansion that previously belonged to the rich merchant of the second guild Nikolai Kalantarov. The house was built in 1908, its construction was carried out by a talented Armenian architect Lazar Sargsyan.
The building is a striking example of neo-Moorish style, which was especially popular in the XIX - XX centuries in Georgia. The combination of Spanish and Portuguese stylistics together with Berber motifs gives the house an amazing look. The mansion resembles the Opera and Ballet Theater in Tbilisi, such similarity is associated with the legend of the Kalantarov family.
The story goes that the merchant was in love with an opera singer and wanted to make her a marriage proposal. His beloved agreed, but on condition that Kalantarov erect a house that is not inferior in beauty and splendor to the theater. A couple of years later, the couple got married, and the house is still considered one of the most beautiful in Tbilisi.
After Kalantarov and his family emigrated from Georgia, the house was turned into communal housing. For a long time, the grandeur of the mansion was forgotten, only in 2014 the restoration of the building began: the facade, the front door were repaired and the courtyard was equipped. Today, the mansion is popular among tourists, and the locals are hospitable and only happy to chat with travelers.
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The first front door: entrance from Machabeli Street
Luxurious doors with carved arched arches welcome tourists and escort them to the marble staircase, right under which there is an ancient massive oven. The interior of the house is amazing: u-shaped arches and long galleries edged with carved wood. The oriental atmosphere can be seen in every detail: ethnic ornaments and lace decorations made of stucco.
The painted ceiling and the mirror of the XX century deserve special attention, the patterns on the walls still retain the brightness of colors and paints. Narrow natural window frames with antique latches attract the gaze of tourists. The reconstruction of the tree of the building only decorated and restored the former greatness of the Kalantarov house.
On the ground floor, near the entrance to the front door, there lives a wonderful woman Alla Albertovna, who likes to accompany tourists during the inspection of the house. It tells the story of the mansion, shows unique ornaments and the best locations for photos.
Second front door: entrance from Asatiani Street
The entrance to the second front door is fenced with wrought iron gates with a code on the lock, if you meet the residents of the house, they will help and let you inside. The first thing that opens to tourists from the inside of the building is a garden with cypresses, one of the legends about the mansion is connected with them. After the birth of each child, Kalantarov planted a tree, so their number reached six. During the strengthening of the neighboring building, several trees were cut down, so today only two cypresses grow in the garden.
In the courtyard you can observe a vineyard and a front garden, which in the past was a swimming pool. In many houses of Tbilisi, small reservoirs were built earlier, so local residents cooled off on hot days. An artist lives in the second front room, she greets guests in her studio and treats them to tea. The spiral staircase in her apartment is located along the fully glazed bay window.
The mysterious history and myths about the house of Kalantarov
One of the myths is connected with Niko Pirosmani, after whom the creative club located on the first floor of the mansion is named. It is known that the future artist was orphaned early, then the wealthy Kalantarov family took him for upbringing. Guides during excursions in Tbilisi claim that the boy had his own room in the house and was treated with warmth and love. Despite the closeness and good nature of his caregivers, Niko, as an adult, did not turn to Kalantarov for help during poverty. Finally, their communication ended after the family left the country.
Another legend about the house says that the Soviet figure Lavrenty Beria lived in one of the rooms, guides and locals tell about it. In fact, he often appeared in the mansion, and his niece Tatiana lived in the apartment. A tragic story haunted Tatiana's daughter and her family: her husband and son died in a car accident.
Residents of the house say that many years ago a man came and presented himself as the son of Mikhail Kalantarov. However, information about the heirs of a rich merchant is unreliable and contradictory.
Kalantarov's mansion in Tbilisi welcomes guests of Georgia with amazing magic, which can be traced in the front rooms: oriental ornaments, painted ceilings and arches with lace decorations made of stucco. The house is rich in interesting legends and myths that make the walk mysterious. Have you been to Kalantarov's house before? Share your impressions and emotions in the comments!
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