The oldest church
In Tbilisi, sixth century.
კოლხი — CC BY-SA 4.0 · კოლხი — CC BY-SA 4.0 · კოლხი — CC BY-SA 4.0 · კოლხი — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Misa.stefanovic.07 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Tbilisi's oldest surviving church, a small stone basilica in the heart of the old town, built in the sixth century, before Tbilisi became Georgia's capital. It is named after the Anchi icon, a jewelled icon of Christ brought here in the seventeenth century from Anchi monastery in the south, now kept in the National Museum. Inside is a long, narrow hall with stone pillars, walls with faded seventeenth-century frescoes, icons and candles, and the soft light makes it one of the old town's calmest places. Beside it stands an eighteenth-century brick bell tower, and Georgian polyphonic choirs, on UNESCO's intangible heritage list, are often heard here. Entry is free. Modest dress is expected in churches: shoulders and knees covered, and women cover their hair, usually with a scarf lent at the door. It is an active place of worship, so keep your voice down and do not photograph during services. It is a few minutes' walk from the Gabriadze clock tower and the Bridge of Peace, a stop on an old-town walk.
In Tbilisi, sixth century.
UNESCO intangible heritage.
Of brick beside it.
Shavteli Street, old town, Tbilisi
Gabriadze Theatre Clock TowerA leaning clock tower straight out of a fairy tale, on Shavteli Street in Tbilis1 minute walk4.8
Bridge of Peace and Rike ParkA bow-shaped pedestrian bridge of steel and glass spanning 150 metres across the4 minutes walk4.8
Sioni CathedralThe Cathedral of the Dormition, known as the Tbilisi Sioni, stands on Sioni Stre6 minutes walk4.9
Georgian National Museum (Simon Janashia Museum)Georgia's leading museum of history and archaeology, officially the Simon Janash7 minutes walk4.3
Dry Bridge MarketAn open-air market of antiques and old curiosities in central Tbilisi, around th9 minutes walk4.5Yes, in modest dress and quietly; women cover their hair, and scarves are usually lent at the door.