Tbilisi museums are a must-see attraction in the capital city of Georgia. As everyone knows Geogia is one of the oldest countries with rich history and culture, with its beautiful nature still filled with historical wonders that have been uncovered and displayed in various museums in Tbilisi. While the lands of Georgia hold many hidden treasures that are waiting to be uncovered, the glimpse of the past rests in museums that are open to everyone almost every day. This little city manages to fit around 60 museums; those are centered around the history of Georgia, important figures, and archaeological finds. Of course, we won’t cover all of them, but we will definitely guide you through the must-see museums of Tbilisi.
Museum of Georgia Tbilisi
You simply can’t choose the best museum of Tbilisi, since each focuses on the different aspects of Tbilisi and the history of Georgia, but you can definitely choose a favorite based on your preferences. Each museum in Tbilisi tells a different part of Georgia’s story, offering visitors a rich and diverse experience of the country’s cultural tapestry. Whether you’re intrigued by the country’s ancient roots, its medieval history, or its modern-day developments, Tbilisi’s museums are the perfect way to immerse yourself in the unique spirit of Georgia. So, whether you’re an art lover, history enthusiast, or wine connoisseur, there’s a Tbilisi museum waiting to captivate you. We can help you choose with the little list so you can know which museum of Georgia Tbilisi to visit and thankfully public transportation in Georgia will easily take you anywhere you will need to visit, so you won’t have to worry about the locations of these museums.
Modern art museum Tbilisi
Housed in a historic building from 1909 that once served as the Tbilisi Cadet Corps, the Zurab Tsereteli Museum of Modern Art is located at 27 Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, Georgia. This museum is dedicated to the works of the renowned Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli. The Museum was established in February of 2012. The museum displays a diverse collection of over 300 pieces that includes paintings, sculptures, and graphics that reflect Tsereteli’s avant-garde and national art styles as well as temporary exhibits of other artists. The museum working hours are from 11:00 to 18:00 and are not open on Tuesdays. The entry fee for foreign citizens is 20 Gel, for Students – 5 Gel and for pupils and pensioners – 2 Gel. Entry is free for disabled and socially vulnerable individuals.
Tbilisi history museum
Another one in our list of cool museums in Georgia, we have Tbilisi History Museum, also known as the Ioseb Grishashvili Tbilisi Historical Museum, is a prominent cultural institution located at 8 Sioni Street in the heart of Tbilisi, Georgia. This museum was established in 1910, the museum is located in a historic building that was originally a caravanserai—a traditional inn for travelers and merchants that was originally constructed in the 15th century. In 1818, the structure was renovated to include a hotel, shops, and a warehouse, reflecting Tbilisi’s role as a significant trading hub along the Silk Road. The museum’s collection showcases over 50,000 artifacts that show Tbilisi’s history, daily life, and cultural evolution. Despite various restorations, the structure maintains its architectural and historical significance. The museum works from 10:00 AM to 18:00 PM, with entrance fee costing for schoolchildren and students – 0.50 GEL., Adults – 5 GEL., Guided Tour Fee (Georgian Language) – 25 GEL., Guided Tour Fee (English Language) – 45 GEL. Take note, this museum doesn’t work on Mondays.
Tbilisi’s antique archaeological museum
One of Tbilisi museums worth noting is Tbilisi Archaeological Museum, that was established in 1988. This building was a significant institution dedicated to preserving and presenting Georgia’s rich archaeological heritage that was gathered in this museum from different parts of the country. Designed by architects Shota Kavlashvili and Shota Bostanashvili, the museum’s Brutalist architecture made it a notable example of 20th-century Soviet Modernist design that instantly catches an eye of onlooker. Sadly, the building is no longer open for visits, since it has been closed for last few years.
One more Georgian museum in Tbilisi shares the same name. located in the backyard of the monastery of Narikhala, this little museum provides small insight on the deep history of this country.
Stalin museum Tbilisi
Since the Soviet Union and Joseph Stalin were huge parts of the history of Georgia, we should mention the museums and exhibits left by him in Tbilisi museums.
J. Stalin’s Underground Printing House Museum is located in Tbilisi’s Avlabari district. This museum offers a unique glimpse into the early revolutionary activities of Joseph Stalin from the beginning of his activity. In the early 20th century, Stalin, who was then known as Iosif Djugashvili, operated an underground printing press from this building and was producing pamphlets and materials to promote Bolshevik ideology and oppose the Tsarist regime. The museum’s collection that the visitors can see includes Soviet-era memorabilia, original printed materials, photographs of revolutionary activists, and a map detailing the distribution of the printed pamphlets. The museum is open daily from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Sadly, house-museum of Stalin is not on the list of Tbilisi museums because it is located in the city of his birthplace – Gori. That museum is solely dedicated to his life and actions.
Open air museum of ethnography Tbilisi
The Open Air Museum of Ethnography is one of the museums in Tbilisi that is definitely worth visiting. This museum offers a comprehensive exploration of Georgia’s diverse cultural heritage. It was established in 1966 by ethnographer Giorgi Chitaia. The museum is situated on a hill overlooking the Vake district, near Turtle Lake. It spans 52 hectares and features over 70 traditional buildings, including houses, churches, and workshops, representing various regions of Georgia and making it one of the best museums in Georgia if you want to learn about the culture of Georgia. This museum works every day except Monday, 10:00 – 18:00.
National museum Tbilisi
The Georgian National Museum in Tbilisi is a main museum that is dedicated to preserving and showcasing Georgia’s rich history, art, and cultural heritage and is the best museum in Tbilisi to visit if you want to see a huge variety of exhibitions. This wonderful museum was established in 2004, and it brings together a variety of collections that span across archaeology, ethnography, art, and historical artifacts. The museum is a must-see for anyone who is interested in learning about the ancient civilizations, medieval history, and modern developments of Georgia. The museum is well-known for its archaeological collections, the Gold of Colchis exhibit, as well as the significant collection of historical artifacts such as weapons, coins, and documents that illustrate Georgia’s political and cultural evolution through the ages.
Tbilisi wine museum
When you think of Geogia, of course, aside from the history, you also think about restaurants that are introducing the best Georgian cuisine and wine, but another great way to get closely acquainted with Georgian wine is in the last one on our list of Tbilisi museums – Tbilisi wine museum. This museum is a unique and specialized museum dedicated to showing the long history and rich culture of winemaking in Georgia, since Georgia is considered one of the first winemaking countries. This museum is located in the heart of Tbilisi so it’s quite easy to reach by both public transport and by foot while you enjoy the sceneries of Tbilisi. Exhibits mostly focus on the evolution of winemaking techniques that start from ancient methods to modern practices as well as providing the guests with the feature such as wine tasting where you can sample a wide variety of Georgian wine yourself. This museum, like many others, is closed on Mondays and works from 11 AM. to 8 PM.
Conclusion
Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia, is home to a huge number of museums that show the country’s deep cultural, historical, and artistic heritage that have survived the years of history. With nearly 60 museums scattered across the city, visitors can explore everything from ancient archaeology to modern art and ethnography based on their interest. Each museum provides a unique insight into the history of this country, which helps the viewer to appreciate Georgia’s past.
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