The first place I decided to visit during my trip to Tbilisi was Rike Park. The attraction caught my attention due to its proximity to many well-known historical sites in the city and a very unusual extraterrestrial-like structure located in the northern part of the park.
How to Get There by Metro
The nearest metro station is "Avlabari." The recreational area is quite small, and after exploring it, you can, for example, visit the ancient Metekhi Church or take the cable car to the Narikala Fortress. I will talk about these places in my upcoming articles.
Entrance to the park is free.
Stroll in Rike Park
Rike Park is a relatively young attraction in Tbilisi. It is said to have been developed in 2010. The park's youth is evident at first glance – there are no tall shady trees or well-trodden pedestrian paths; all its features look very modern.
The Kura River flows nearby, and an unusual Bridge of Peace crosses it. The crossing is a contemporary companion to the park. You can capture some interesting photos on the bridge. During my walk, there were a few "guides" offering foreigners a ride on the cable car leading from the park to the other side of the Kura. However, their prices were ten times higher than the official ones.
Pedestrian paths, sculptural compositions, and benches for relaxation are arranged in Rike Park. There is also a children's area. In the southern part, there is a pavilion for the cable car mentioned earlier. Its route consists of two stations, and the cost of the ride in the summer of 2023 was 2.5 lari. To take the trip, you need to buy a transport card, which costs an additional 2 lari. During the ascent, travelers can enjoy beautiful views of the river and the central part of the city.
As mentioned earlier, one of the interesting objects that attracted me here was a huge mirrored structure shaped like two massive tubes. This building was supposed to house a cultural center with a 566-seat music theater and an exhibition hall. The construction is likened to a periscope or gramophone.
I mention that the cultural center was supposed to open, as after the completion of the works, the building was never utilized. Over time, it was sold to a new owner, albeit not on the first attempt. According to reports, in the future, wine and digital technology museums are expected to be established here.
After exploring Rike Park, I continued my journey, with the next stop on my city route being the Metekhi Church, which is literally a five-minute walk from here.
Have a nice trip!
