The Georgia on Two Wheels expedition is slowly finishing. Time to move on. Where I started, I also end. I’ve had my 7th day in Georgia and I must say, it’s an experience. The city of Tbilisi is a mix of new architecture, monuments, and tourist attractions.
Tbilisi – A City Full of Contrasts
The rich culture and history of the city is illustrated by the fact that Tbilisi houses the only mosque in the world where Shia and Sunni Muslims pray together. Georgians calls this mosque Juma and church symbolizes the religious tolerance of the city.
The city also has its own version of the “Statue of Liberty”: a 20-meter statue of Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia) holds a sword in one hand to defend against enemies and a cup of wine in the other to welcome friends. I preferred the latter.
The city also features a unique clock tower that presents a puppet show every hour. No wonder, as the “Rezo Gabriadze Clock Tower” builded an artist, a famous Georgian puppeteer and director.
One of the iconic structures of modern Tbilisi is the Bridge of Peace. This 150-meter-long glass and steel pedestrian bridge, opened in 2010, spans the Kura River and lights up at night with thousands of LED lights. The Bridge of Peace is not only a practical connection between the old and new parts of the city but also a symbol of Tbilisi moving towards the future.
Georgia on Two Wheels
The two-wheeled expedition through Georgia continues beyond the borders of this interesting land. What surprised me most was the difference between the city and the countryside. While we often complain about rules at home, here I really miss those rules – in traffic and in everyday life. I also miss more smiles on people’s faces. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this city and I’m glad I had the opportunity to get to know it.
Stories from Georgia
- Cycling from Tbilisi to Trenčín via Istanbul
- Cycling from Tbilisi to Lagodekhi
- Telavi wine region
