Tbilisi boasts a beautiful botanical garden, now officially the National Botanical Garden of Georgia, with a history that spans several centuries. First known as the royal fortress gardens as early as 1625, it has an illustrious history of visits by notable scholars, writers, and artists.
To enter, one must first ascend a steep street that has been beautifully restored in traditional Georgian architectural style, with intricate brickwork, colorful balconies, and impressive wood detailing.
The garden is nestled in the shadow of Narikala, a mountaintop fortress that dates back to the 4th century. Because Tbilisi is mostly surrounded by mountains and not far from the warm Black and Caspian Seas, it is protected from the cold winds of the north which results in a moderately humid subtropical climate. This translates into beautifully blooming flowers well into autumn.
The children always start our visits with a stop at the playground, one of the nicest in Tbilisi.
In addition to plants, trees, flowers and lofty peaks, there are a number of still pools and a river that slices right through the center of the garden. We engage in much stone tossing.
One of our favorite Saturday ventures is a visit to the Botanical Garden with friends.
With her hair cut short, Sofie looks so much like you! What a beautiful place. I love the expression on Elliott's face on the swing, its that gulp of fear and excitement with a blast of oxygen.
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