2024-04-23
Chronicle of Georgia is a monument made of stone and bronze, located on the outskirts of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.
This work, authored by sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, dates back to 1985, although it remains unfinished due to lack of funds.
I must say that initially I found it strange to visit a monument that was still incomplete, but when I arrived at the site, I immediately understood why so many visitors come here… The monument is immense, even colossal!
It is divided into two parts separated by a long staircase, with the lower part dedicated to the history of Christianity and the upper part to the history of Georgia.
Some of the stories depicted in the monument include the arrival of Saint Nino in Georgia, formerly known as Iberia, and the story of a healer woman who had knowledge of herbs and potions and was punished by burning at the stake for being considered a witch.
You can also see inscriptions in the Georgian alphabet, which, although aesthetically beautiful, I couldn’t understand their meaning since I don’t know the language.
And then there’s that sea, yes, the sea of Tbilisi, which you can see from the top of the mountain where the monument is located.
Overall, it was a couple of hours well spent, so I recommend including a visit to the Chronicle of Georgia Monument in your itinerary.
What to see at the Chronicle of Georgia Monument?
Right at the beginning, we are greeted by a giant scroll that tells stories of Christianity.
Then, we see two majestic Ionic orders, which are two columns, one on each side of the stairs leading to the monument.
Interestingly, one of these columns is intact, while the other seems like it could collapse at any moment.
Ascending the staircase, it’s hard to look away from the imposing, carefully carved stone columns.
They narrate the history of Iberia, the former name of this region, and of Georgia in more recent times.
In total, there are 16 pillars, some 30 meters tall and others 35 meters tall. At the top of each pillar, the kings, queens, and heroes of the nation are represented, while scenes from the life of Christ are depicted in the lower half of the pillars.
There is also a giant cross, the Cross of Saint Nino, who introduced Christianity to the country.
In addition to these pillars or columns in the center of the monument, you can also see a small chapel named the Church of the Annunciation.
And to conclude the visit in grandeur, don’t forget to take in the views from the Chronicle of Georgia Monument, from where you can see the northern region of the city of Tbilisi, as well as the Sea of Tbilisi.
Interesting fact: The Sea of Tbilisi is actually an artificial lake, serving as a water reservoir. It is located in the Valley of the Kura River.
Everything you need to know before visiting the Chronicle of Georgia Monument
Who is the sculptor of the Chronicle of Georgia?
The sculptor of the Chronicle of Georgia is Zurab Konstantinovich Tsereteli, born in Tbilisi on January 4, 1934.
He is also the author of other renowned works, such as Nacimiento del Nuevo Mundo in Puerto Rico, Nacimiento de un Hombre Nuevo in Seville, Peter the Great Statue in Moscow, St. George Statue in Tbilisi, and To the Struggle Against World Terrorism in New Jersey.
Is it worth visiting the Chronicle of Georgia Monument?
Yes, it is definitely worth getting up close to the Chronicle of Georgia, despite the monument still being incomplete.
Ultimately, it’s truly impressive to see these stone giants up close, recounting stories of times past.
How to get there?
To visit the Chronicle of Georgia, you can go by car, as it’s only about 11 km from Tbilisi.
Check how much it costs to rent a car in Georgia or find out if it’s safe to rent a car in Georgia.
However, alternatively, you can join a small group or opt for a private tour.
So, if your choice is a tour or excursion, my recommendations are as follows:
- Chronicle of Georgia Express Guided Tour (private or small group tour);
- Visit Tbilisi and Chronicle of Georgia (private tour);
- Day trip to the Chronicle of Georgia monumento, city of Gori and Uplistsikhe cave (private tour).
Location: Keeni Hill, Tbilisi, Georgia.
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*I visited the Chronicle of Georgia Monument on a tour offered by the Georgian Tourism and as part of the Traverse Events.
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