Tbilisi, Georgia's capital and largest city,
is located on the banks of the Kura River and has a population of approximately
1.8 million people. Tiflis was the name used for the city before its modern one
was established in 1936 and is still used in various languages.
It was established by Vakhtang Gorgasali, a
monarch of Georgia, in the fifth century. According to tradition, while
hunting, he killed a pheasant that fell into hot water. Gorgasali discovered
many hot springs in this area and named it Tbilisi because tbili means
"hot" in Georgian.
Tbilisi has historically been a source of
conflict between many world powers because of its location at the intersection
of Europe and Asia and its closeness to the rich Silk Road. Even now, the
city's strategic placement makes it a vital node in the flow of energy and
commerce. The architecture of Tbilisi reflects its history, which is a
combination of mediaeval, neoclassical, Beaux Arts, Art Nouveau, Stalinist, and
modern constructions.
Tbilisi's architecture reflects its diverse
past, with examples of mediaeval, neoclassical, Beaux Arts, Art Nouveau,
Stalinist, and modern styles.