Tiflis Renaissance of the 19th Century - Sololaki and Mtatsminda

What to expect

People and fates of the airy Sololaki - a journey into the past
You will explore the painted porticoes, unique interior decor, facades adorned with sculptures of Anton Novak's master craftsmen, marble floors by Andreoletti and wrought-iron railings from Kerera, Bart, Beder. I will tell you what hides behind the details and elements of the bygone era, and transport your imagination to past events. You will 'attend' a ball at Count Vorontsov's - a reception in honor of the engagement of A. Griboyedov and Nino Chavchavadze. Somewhere in the garden, you will 'meet' the tipsy novelist hugging a pine, in love with Georgia - Monsieur Dumas. You will 'hear' the first wife of Stalin quietly sewing a sewing machine. And you will also uncover the mystical story of the house with Hermes' son on the facade.

Mtatsminda - years, coats of arms and cypress trees mixed again...
Ascending to the Holy Mountain, you will continue to explore the history of famous personalities and architecture of Tiflis. You will study the Moorish palace of the Kalantarovs and see a fountain with wine at Mirza Khan's. I will tell you about the rich life of the brandy king's house and that very pattern of Boha that was on the Titanic. Stepping through time, you will find yourself at the gates of the most mysterious and unpopular mansion in the city - the secret house of Beria. There will also be buildings of the Siemens brothers, the Seylanovs, and Madame Bozardjyan, stories about Chaliapin, Tchaikovsky, Pushkin, Lermontov, and Tariverdiev.

Tbilisi courtyards and mokalake
You will definitely visit several typical courtyards, without which it is simply impossible to imagine Tbilisi. I will immerse you in the atmosphere of these fairytale 'characters' with their fountains, airy railings, laundry on ropes, and the constant voice of life: domino games, playing children, and conversations over a cup of coffee. Additionally, along the way, I will separately tell you about the main title-rank 'mokalake' and how the rivalry of merchants striving to outdo their neighbors in luxury, sophistication, and inventiveness in building their houses was getting out of hand.

'Sololaki, Sololaki… ancient aroma of streets!
Here, years are not entitled to judge mistakes, to blame
Here, the entrances beckon with Salve into silence,
Where the mild light of centuries descends from the floors
Onto remnants of old frescoes and remains of stained glass…
Here, a cesarevich, a Freemason, and a widow are equal.
Aleksandr Sergeich wanders (not one, but two).
Time has split the walls, but the yards remain the same
Awaiting Bulat and Paolo together with Bella - to feasts,
Repelling all attacks, unlike a museum,
Sololaki preserves the spirit of poets and princes!'
V. Golovin