Frida Kahlo in Tbilisi: Bethlehem Quarter and Old Streets

The Bethlehem quarter of the historical part of Tbilisi is one of the ancient districts of the city, located at the foot of the Sololak ridge. This is the place of an amazing architectural ensemble. On the narrow and winding streets, sometimes going up, then rushing down, the old stone houses and basilicas stand so close to each other that a feeling of a labyrinth is created. Taking a walk around the quarter, you immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a medieval city. The image is completed by the visible fortress of Narikala. And if you look in the opposite direction, you will get a panoramic view of the Old City of Tbilisi.

To get to the quarter, you need to climb the 120-step Bethlehem Staircase. The staircase was built in the XIX century, and earlier residents climbed a path carved into the rock. But do not rush to overcome all the steps at once.

The first stop after the first flight of stairs. The Lower Bethlehem Temple is located here, as well as a souvenir shop where you can buy memorabilia, sip a refreshing drink and chat with the hospitable hosts of a nearby apartment building.

This house also has its own history. Near the house there is a cozy Italian courtyard. The main attraction is the friendly goose Vasya, whose fame has spread throughout the country. He feels like a full–fledged owner and cordially welcomes all passing tourists, and if possible, he poses for the camera with pleasure. Initially, there were two geese, they were purchased for the neighborhood kids, but soon settled for permanent residence in the Italian courtyard. One soon died in a battle with a mongoose, and the second – Vasily – grew up to be a sociable and curious bird, the most famous goose in Tbilisi.

The next stop is the observation deck, which offers a breathtaking urban landscape: ancient roofs of houses, domes of temples, ornate streets. The Upper Bethlehem Temple is located next to the site, and a little further away is the only Zoroastrian Ateshga church in Georgia, built during the Persian conquest. At the top of the Bethlehem quarter stands the Church of St. George. To get to it, you will have to climb up a steep staircase.

The highlight of the area is graffiti with Frida Kahlo, made by the artist Tako Tsulaia on the facade of the modern hotel Check Point on Gomi Street, 9. To look at Frida, you need to go into the cozy courtyard of the hotel, turned by the master into a real work of art.

Another amazing place worth visiting is the front kaleidoscope of a residential building on Betlemi Street, 3. This ordinary residential building is not an architectural monument, but attracts tourists with its unique stained glass windows and wooden carved decor. Bright and colorful iridescences of stained glass windows create a kaleidoscope feeling. In addition to the living quarters in the house there is a souvenir workshop where you can buy something for memory.

Despite the fact that the Bethlehem quarter is the oldest in the city, it became a tourist center relatively recently, after the reconstruction of the district was completed. Authentic, filled with antiquities, the amazing Bethlehem quarter can be compared to a fabulous box with surprises.