About this experience
For a Tbilissian, Sololaki is like a trunk of treasures, where he occasionally peeps with a throbbing heart. Here unique streets, modern-style mansions, and piazzas with paintings from the late 19th - early 20th century have been preserved. And everything is alive as if it were yesterday... This walk is for those who have already explored the main sights of Tbilisi and want to become more advanced connoisseurs of the city.
What to expect
'Caucasian Paris' mansions
We will explore Sololaki and capture a part of the Mtatsminda district: here lived the local elite - patrons, industrialists, caviar kings, as well as the status intelligentsia - writers, poets, doctors, and musicians. I will show you the houses of the founder of brandy industry in Transcaucasia, David Sarajishvili, oil magnates, and philanthropists Alexander Mantashev and Mikael Aramyants. The house of Lavrentiy Beria, around which the Tbilisians tried to walk quieter than water, lower than grass. Houses where poet Nikolai Gumilev, composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky lived. Salons visited by Maxim Gorky, Ilya Chavchavadze, Bella Akhmadulina, Andrey Voznesensky, and where the silk shoes of Alexandra Smirnova-Rosset are stored. As well as the mansion that 'starred' in the movie 'Seventeen Moments of Spring' and much more. We will look at some houses from the facade, enter others and take pictures of the piazzas.
Sololaki and creative Tbilisi
You will see the creations of the best architects of Tiflis, both local and visiting. Beautiful paintings, ancient gates and doors, stained glass windows, and mailboxes with 'yaras'. For several hours, immerse yourself in the gallant time when not wild foreign cars raced through the streets but 'konkas' drove. Tiflis, now - Tbilisi, will appear as a very creative city, the atmosphere of which breeds and (or) nurtures talents. For example, Mikael Tariverdiev grew up in an Italian courtyard, from all the windows and balconies of which music and songs were heard.
Lives of remarkable people
You will not only learn historical facts about which famous people lived in this or that house in the Sololaki district, but also hear their personal stories. I have prepared for you such facts that will allow you to see famous personalities from a human side. Almost every house is connected with a famous name. And the intertwining of people's fates is much more than it may seem at first glance. Ilya Chavchavadze was in love with Peter Tchaikovsky's sister Sofia in his youth. Alexander Mantashev and Mikael Aramyants were friends from youth... You will learn a lot about Georgian-Russian cultural ties and connections that have long existed. Let's talk about German colonists in Tbilisi and their activities (architect Albert Salzman). And also touch on the topic of repressions of the 1930s and the fate of the Georgian intelligentsia.
The tour starts from Dadiani Street (near the city council - Sakrebulo).
Irina
October 19, 2024
Very interesting, informative excursion! Even considering that we walked in overcast weather, the city amazed with its atmosphere, old and restored mansions, and the doors, they are a work of art!!! And the cherry on top, these wonderful, rare, very beautiful facades!!! And all of this we saw thanks...
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Elena
September 29, 2024
Wonderful walk with Medea through the "Caucasian Paris"! In 3.5 hours, we saw many ancient mansions and grand entrances. Thanks to the fascinating story about the life of the local elite of the 19th - early 20th centuries, we discovered a new page in the history of Tbilisi.
Julia
September 25, 2024
This is an incredibly interesting tour. If you want to discover another Tbilisi, be sure to go with Medea to the Sololaki district. Time flies by unnoticed. I recommend going to the Sololaki district to those who are already familiar with Tbilisi and want to discover something new. Medea, thank you!
