그루지야 최고의 라이딩 경로

Great coffee and cake. Staff gave me tips on the route to Tbilisi 😄

Anyone entering Europe Square finds themselves in the middle of a postcard scene. Playful facades, a striking clock tower, water features, and, in the center, a stone column with a golden Medea high above – this is Batumi in miniature: dramatic, meticulously detailed, and somehow proud. This is the city's tourist heart. The square is surrounded by cafés, hotels, and historic buildings, including the fairytale Astronomical Tower with its green brick spires. During the day, it's bustling with people, children play in the fountain, tour groups gather beneath the statue, and in the evening, everything lights up in bright colors – a bit of Las Vegas, a bit of Belle Époque. Those seeking peace and quiet should come in the early morning. Those wanting to people-watch should stay until the evening. If you're hungry, take a walk around the square – everything from fast food to delicatessen is available.

The church, in its oldest form, dates back to the 6th century – or so the experts say. King Vakhtang Gorgasali is said to have built not only a church here, but also a castle and his royal residence. What remains of all this: an impressive, stone simplicity that has defied fashion and decay. The current building was rebuilt in the 13th century after several destructions – and has since embodied the spirit of many eras. What is there to see? No pomp, no golden domes – instead, raw, solid stone walls, narrow windows, a high drum with a dome, and a sense of stillness that is rarely found today. Inside, it is cool, simple, and atmospheric. A place that invites contemplation rather than photography. And outside: a view that stretches from the riverbank to the old town. How to get there? The Metekhi Church is just a few minutes' walk from Europe Square. If you're a good walker, take the stairs over the rock. Those who prefer a more leisurely approach can follow the path across the street. The visit can be easily combined with a walk to the Peace Bridge or a detour to the "Mother Georgia" statue.

Metekhi Church is a Georgian Orthodox church in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. It was built in the 13th century by King Dimitri II and stands on the site of the former residence of the Georgian kings above the steep bank of the Kura River (Wikipedia).

The original name of the church is unknown. Its current name is taken from a supposedly miraculous 12th-century icon of the Savior, which had been kept in the church since the 17th century and is now on display in the Georgian State Museum of Arts in Tbilisi. The silver icon (Georgian: Khati) came from the Anchi Church in southern Georgia. Its creator was Beka Opisari, a master silversmith of his era (Wikipedia).

The oldest church in the city. An impressive building.

Beautiful view of the lake and snow-capped mountains in the distance.

One of the oldest churches built in Tbilisi. Researchers confirm that the temple was built in the 6th century. King Vakhtang I Gorgasali erected a church, a castle and a palace here, which also served as the king's residence. The temple symbolized the temple of the Virgin Mary in the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem.