My next two articles will focus on the attractions of Tbilisi. In this piece, I'll tell you about the cable car with its stunning views of the old city center and the Mother Georgia monument, and in two days, I'll publish a story about the history of Narikala Fortress. All these interesting places are located in the same area of the city.
Rike Park – Narikala Cable Car
I began my exploration of the Georgian capital by visiting the modern Rike Park. After enjoying the attractions in this leisure area, I decided to take the cable car up to Narikala Fortress. You can either hike up or ride the cable car, with the station located right in the park.
The fare in the summer of 2023 was 2.5 lari. If you don’t have a local transport card, you’ll need to buy one. The card costs an additional 2 lari. The same card can also be used for payment on the Tbilisi metro and buses.
I noticed that during my park visit, tourists were offered assistance in buying cable car tickets, with the service fee being ten times higher than the official fare. Purchasing a ticket is straightforward, and on the day of my visit, there were no lines, so seeking paid assistance seems unnecessary.
The cable car route extends approximately 500 meters. The second station is situated at the top of the hill, offering a great view of the Old Town and the famous landmarks of Tbilisi.
Mother Georgia Monument
200 meters from the top cable car station stands the Mother Georgia monument. This monumental figure is visible from many points in the city. It is also referred to in various sources as "Mother of Georgia," "Mother Georgia," or "Mother Kartli."
The massive sculpture was created in 1958. Initially, the monument was made of wood, but a few years later, it was replaced with an aluminum one, with the new statue standing next to the old one for some time.
The Mother Georgia monument depicts a huge female figure, holding a sword in her right hand for enemies and a bowl of wine in her left hand for friends. At the base of the sculpture is a small viewing platform overlooking central Tbilisi. On the opposite side of the monument extends the Tbilisi Botanical Garden.
Nearby the statue is a plaque with a QR code. Scanning it will open a page in your browser simulating a phone call from the statue itself and providing information about the history of this landmark. The audio is available in English and Georgian.
As promised, my next article will focus on exploring the ancient Narikala Fortress.
Have a nice trip!
