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Photo: Ivan Aivazovsky, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Perhaps one of the most distinctive pleasures of walking through the Old City, with its old-style balconies, ancient churches, winding streets, and charming shops. Be prepared to see a number of eclectic sights, from the abandoned streetcar near Erekle Street to the art galleries of Chardini Street to the stunning modern art lining Sioni Street. Sub-neighborhoods include Sololaki, with its elegant restaurants and art nouveau architecture, Old Tbilisi proper — with sites ranging from churches to mosques to sulfur baths, Betlemi — housing two of the city's oldest churches and the stunning vistas of the Narikala Fortress — and Mtsasminda, just up the mountain from Rustaveli Avenues, a more sedate, "livable" district filled with charming old houses and a number of families. A large section has been refurbished turning parts into a sterile, tourist-trade and therefore purely overly consumption attuned quarter. Bars and restaurants largely overpriced. Even Segway rental is available — given the state of Tbilisi pavements, a ridiculous proposition.
Old Tbilisi refers to the historical parts of Tbilisi. Although the term "Old Tbilisi" has long been used to denote the oldest part of the city, it was only in 2007 that it became an official administrative distinct, while also incorporating several historical neighbourhoods formerly included in the districts of Mtatsminda-Krtsanisi, Isani-Samgori, and Didube-Chugureti. The official district was abolished in 2013, with its territories allotted to several other divisions of the capital; however, locals and visitors continue to refer to historical districts as "Old Tbilisi" without precise boundaries.
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ნორაშენის ეკლესია
Boarded up Armenian Church, used as a library in Soviet times. It was built in 1487, with a lot of new work in the mid-1600s.
Former Caravanserai / თბილისის ისტორიის მუზეუმი
Part of the Georgian National Museum.
Tbilisi Virgin Mary Church, მარიამ ღვთისმშობლის ამაღლების კათოლიკური ეკლესია
The church was built, which starts from the 13th century. The church is an example of eclectic architecture and has been built with pseudo-gothic and Baroco elements. The interior is decorated with thematic vitrages. Height: 23 m.
Georgian: ანჩისხატი
Constructed began at the time of king Dachi Ujarmeli in the 6th century. This is the oldest church in town. Anchiskhati Basilica is a three-span basilica, divided by two abutments forming horseshoe shaped conches, which indicates the antiquity of its construction. Originally constructed of blocks of yellow tuff stone, the 1958–1964 restoration made extensive use of brick. The structure has entrances on three sides, but today only the western entrance is in use. Aside from the altarpiece, which was painted in 1683 by order of Catholicos Nikoloz Amilakhvari, all of the remaining paintings in the church date from the 19th century.
სინაგოგა
Functioning synagogue constructed in 1910. Women and men are seated separately.