Euronews about Georgia
Tbilisi's old town: a bridge between ancient and modern times
In Georgia's capital city Tbilisi modernity and ancient history are
separated by just a few meters. Walking through the city centre is
an experience made of contrasts and beautiful discoveries in a town
which has been at the crossroads of Europe and Asia for
centuries.
The cohabitation between history and modernity is perhaps best
illustrated by the Peace Bridge that connects the newer parts of
the capital to the ancient ones.
According to legend, in the fifth century, King Vakhtang
Gorgasalince founded the future capital of united Georgia during a
horse hunt. Abanotubani is the place where the royal falcon fell,
leading to the discovery of hot springs that nowadays are public
bathhouses that use the sulphurous waters.
« It is exactly in this place that king Vaktang found his falcon
boiled in a hot spring. He put his hand into the water and
discovered it was warm and he said: I will found a city here and we
will name it Tbilisi, which means the warm city,» explains Vlasi
Vatsadze a local tourist guide.
Much of the Old town was restored in 2009. The New Life for Old
Tbilisi project has rehabilitated the historical district with its
pastel-coloured houses and monuments.
read more...