Sameba Holy Trinity Cathedral Interior

Unlike many of Tbilisi's churches the interior of the Cathedral is bright and airy - bright enough to take pictures. Most of the churches are small, with few windows, the only light coming from candles burning before icons. It makes for a beautiful, atmospheric space but it also makes it very difficult to take pictures.

Sameba Holy Trinity Cathedral

Sameba Cathedral stands on a hill overlooking central Tbilisi. It was consecrated in 2005 and is the largest religious building in Georgia and the Caucasus.

Presidential Palace 3

A view of the central section of the Presidential Palace. The glass dome over the building, reminiscent of the Reichstag, is locally known as Misha's (i.e. President Mikheil Saakashvili) egg.

Presidential Palace 2

Another view of the Presidential Palace with the tower of the Sameba Cathedral in the background.

Presidential Palace

Tbilisi's recently completed Presidential Palace viewed through the not quite finished Bridge of Peace.

Balconies

Another collection of balconies - open and enclosed - though these are in much better repair than many others.

Anchiskhati Church

The Anchiskhati church is the oldest church in Tbilisi dating back to the sixth century, though it has been rebuilt many times since. We passed by one Saturday evening while there was a service going on and listened to the beautiful singing while admiring the icons glinting and shimmering in the light of many candles.

Drink

I was trying to find an angle for a shot of the Anchiskati church when this old lady stopped in front of me and reached out to a fountain for a drink of water. I just had time to zoom out, recompose and grab this shot.

Twisted Chimney

One of the most distinctive buildings on Shavteli Street is currently undergoing restoration. The building is the home of a puppet theatre and a cafe run by Rezo Gabriadze, an internationally renowned Georgian artist. It is scheduled to re-open in the Autumn and I have been told it is as interesting inside as outside. I look forward to visiting.

Broom

There are two churches in Shavteli Street. The Anchiskhati Church is the oldest in the city, dating from the sixth century. A little farther along is the Kari St George Church. The churches are always open and there are always women in head scarves in attendance cleaning and sweeping and polishing. This broom was standing against the wall of the bell tower of the Kari Church.

Falling Down

This is the first in a series of photographs from Shavteli Street, a short narrow laneway in the old town. It was the washing hanging out to dry that drew my eye to this old weather beaten wooden balcony. I shot it at this angle partly to exaggerate the angles and lines of the structure and partly because with the street being only about twelve feet wide it was impossible to get any kind of straight on view. I'm not quite sure if it works but I like it nonetheless.

Sulphur Baths

Tbilisi gets its name from the sulphur springs that feed these sulphur bath houses. These distinctive brick domes mark the site of the baths in this part of the old town. I haven't tried them yet but I'm told I should.

Metekhi Church

The Metekhi Church stands on a hill overlooking the Mtkvari river. The church was originally built in the 13th century, though it has been damaged and restored many times since.

Piano

This battered old piano was sitting in the street under an awning. The piano itself together with the colour of the wall, the shading from the awning and the dappled light was striking.

Stairs

This old wooden apartment building was tucked back off the street a little way. The staircase and the creeping plants caught my eye initially as did the bright yellow Natakhtari sign. (It's a local Georgian beer).

More Balconies

In the old town these older wooden balconies are a common sight. Like much else they are often worn and decaying but still clinging on.

Door

Another crumbling building, this time in the heart of old Tbilisi.

Balconies

Crosses

Cafe

Old Lady

This old lady was sitting outside the Kashveti Church begging for money from people going into the church. I took this shot just after she got up off the small stool and laboriously clambered onto the wall. She looked exhausted by the effort.

Faithful

The Kashveti church is in daily use. People were praying at the icons and lighting candles inside and a steady stream of people came and went while I was taking pictures. Most of the women were carrying head scarves with them which they put on before entering the church. Many others who were not going into the church stopped on the pavement and crossed themselves before walking on.

Saint George

This gilded statue of Saint George slaying the dragon stands on a column in the centre of Freedom Square in Tbilisi.

Parliament

The Georgian parliament building was built in 1948 during the Soviet era. Previously a cathedral stood on this site. Over the years the parliament building has been the rallying point for protesters and often the scene of violent conflict.

Facade

Step off Rustaveli Avenue and the side streets are full of apartment buildings like this one with barely a straight line or a true angle to be found. I'm amazed that so many of them are still standing.

Kashveti Church

Kashveti Church stands nearly opposite the Georgian parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue in the heart of the new town. In a city full of ancient churches Kashveti is relatively recent having been built between 1904 and 1910 though it stands on the site of an older church.