Avlabari: Old District of Tbilisi — History & Sights

There's a very interesting neighborhood in Tbilisi called Avlabari. It's located on the left bank of the Mtkvari River between Rike, Chugureti, Navtlugi, and Elia Parks. The Georgian landmarks in this area will undoubtedly amaze you. They include Metekhi Cathedral, Queen Daredjani Palace, Sameba Cathedral, the famous Metekhi Bridge, and some of the most beautiful sites in Georgia and Old Tbilisi.

Avlabari is a very attractive destination for tourists, captivating them with its unique character and charm. Many travelers even choose to book hotels in this ancient neighborhood, visiting local cafes and restaurants and immersing themselves in centuries-old Georgian culture.

The Isani municipal quarter is now located to the east of Avlabari; formerly, there were fortress walls protecting the townspeople.

Locals often refer to Avlabari as the Armenian neighborhood, as the majority of the ethnic population there is Armenian.

History.

The Avlabari district of Tbilisi is one of the oldest parts of the city. Archaeologists have confirmed that people lived here as early as the 1st and 2nd millennia CE.

The district was previously called "Isani" in the 11th-13th centuries. Its current name was officially adopted only in the 14th century. Avlabari was also divided into two districts: Sogdebili and Metekhi. "Bare" in the old language meant a fence or trench, and the word "Gavle" meant a neighborhood. This suggests that Avlabari means suburb.

Avlabari grew rapidly in the 17th century, especially on the outside, where ordinary people lived, while princes and kings settled within Avlabari. In addition to Georgians, the district was also home to Greeks, Persians, and Armenians, most of whom were engaged in crafts and agriculture. According to the chronicles of Platon and Ioseliani, the palaces of the kings of Guria and Samegrelo stood in Avlabari in the 15th century. In the second half of the 17th century, Queen Daredjani ordered the construction of a palace in the form of an enclosure around Avlabari. The main streets in this area ran parallel to Metekhi Rock, and the buildings were generally very neat. A market for local residents was located on the main street.

In the early 20th century, the Avlabari district became the main hub of Tbilisi workers' protests, and their illegal printing press was also located here.

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