Soviet Architecture in Tbilisi: 20 Iconic & Striking Sights

Between the charming neighborhoods and crumbling Art Nouveau buildings, Soviet architecture in Tbilisi stands quietly, offering an intriguing insight into a time that still lingers in the city.

The blocky, utilitarian designs of the apartment blocks and the striking examples of Soviet Modernism and Brutalist architecture are pretty hard to miss, even in the city center. After all, Georgia was part of the USSR for 70 years.

Neighborhoods like Saburtalo, Avlabari, Ortachala, Varketili, Vazisubani, and Gldani are home to some of the best examples of Soviet architecture in Tbilisi. Here, you’ll find apartment blocks, public buildings, and government structures representing the period’s style and ideals.

The majority of them lost their primary function; some have been privatized, some have fallen into disrepair, while others have been repurposed into hotels (Stamba Hotel), multifunctional spaces (Fabrika Tbilisi), offices (Bank of Georgia Headquarters), and private houses (Wedding Palace Tbilisi), for instance.

There are several dozens of buildings from that era. However, my Soviet architecture in Tbilisi guide focuses on a curated list of the most impressive, beautiful, architecturally significant buildings and my personal favorites.

I initially intended to write a comprehensive Soviet Tbilisi guide with architecture, mosaics, bas-reliefs, and other memorabilia, but during the writing process, this post became quite long when discussing only the buildings.

Therefore, I decided to split it and write a separate post on Soviet mosaics, bas-reliefs, and other memorabilia leftovers that most people miss if they don’t know where or for what to look.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy something through them—at no extra cost to you. It helps support my blog and lets me share real, first-hand travel tips. Learn more

DIy or join Soviet tour in Tbilisi?

Exploring these buildings can be an adventure whether you do it yourself or join a guided tour.

If you prefer a DIY approach, you can use my Tbilisi Soviet architecture map provided below and navigate using public transport or taxis. This gives you more flexibility but is quite time-consuming and not the best approach if you are short on time.

Joining a tour gives you insights into the history and symbolism and takes you to places you might overlook. Here are some of the best Soviet architecture tours in Tbilisi I recommend:

Brutalist Tbilisi: Urban Exploration and Untold Stories

This 4-hour tour takes you to authentic neighborhoods and shows you iconic Brutalist buildings like the Ministry of Highways and The Chronicles of Georgia. The tour also includes the Nutsubidze Skybridge, Maghlivi Dormitory, and a ride in a retro Soviet cable car. Book via Viator or GetYourGuide. 

Tbilisi: The Urbex and Soviet Tour

Besides the iconic landmarks, the tour also takes you to hidden places such as Stalin’s Secret Underground Printing House, makes an optional stop at the Palace of Rituals, and a secret spot they don’t reveal until you get there. Book via Viator or GetYourGuide.

Legal Soviet Bunker Tour

Interested to know how the Soviets built the bunkers to withstand nuclear attacks? Join a guided tour of the first-ever legal Soviet bunker that opened to the public only a few years ago. Book via WT Georgia or GetYourGuide. 

Understanding Soviet architecture and its styles

When talking about Soviet architecture in general, remember that it is not a single style but a collection of architectural movements that evolved over decades.

Georgia’s capital reflects this diversity, ranging from early Stalinist grandeur to the stark, functional designs of the later years, including Modernism and Brutalism.

Unlike the ornate facades of Art Nouveau buildings or the traditional Georgian structures in the Old Town, these Soviet-era constructions prioritize practicality, ideology, and, sometimes, sheer monumental scale, which shows how the Soviet era shaped Tbilisi architecture and Georgia as a whole.

Soviet architecture in Tbilisi is a mix of bold, functional, and experimental designs representing that time’s power, order, and progress. Here’s a breakdown of the styles:

Stalinist architecture (1930s-1950s)

Stalinist architecture, also known as Soviet Monumental Classicism, was one of the most significant styles in Soviet urban planning, shaping cities across the USSR, including Tbilisi.

This was the first dominant style, marked by grand, decorative neoclassical designs that aimed to showcase Soviet strength and prestige.

Stalin himself oversaw many major projects, though he didn’t commit to a single architectural style, which is why the buildings of Stalinist architecture are more varied than those of later decades.

Public buildings constructed at this time often featured ornate facades, columns, and decorative elements inspired by imperial architecture.

Some of the examples in Tbilisi include the former Marx-Engels-Lenin Institute (now the BiltmoreHotel), the Parliament of Georgia, the Georgian National Museum, and the current Academy of Science, all located on Rustaveli Avenue.

Stalinist architecture is also known for constructing apartment blocks known as “Stalinkas” from 1933 to 1961. They featured durable materials that could withstand time, were quite spacious, and had high ceilings (often over 4 meters), wide windowsills, and solid wooden partitions between rooms.

Stalinkas were not only built for the elite of Soviet society but also for regular citizens. However, getting a private apartment in a Stalinka was almost impossible for a regular person.

The blocks, five to eleven stories high, were usually filled with communal flats known as “kommunalka,” where several families lived in a single apartment, each with one or more rooms.

In these kommunalkas, residents shared the main hall, bathroom, and kitchen, which led to long lines to the bathroom, no privacy or personal space, and the smell of cooking flowing into the other rooms.

The Vake neighborhood and some parts of Saburtalo are the best examples of residential houses of Stalinist architecture in Tbilisi. My mom even lived for a brief time in a kommunalka on Vake’s Paliashvili Street. Kommunalkas have been extinct in Tbilisi for many years.

Khrushchev architecture (1950s-1960s)

Nikita Khrushchev, Stalin’s successor, took a blunt move from Stalinist buildings’ decorative extravagance to solve the USSR’s housing crisis.

This period introduced standardized apartment blocks known as Khrushchevkas as part of a broader push for efficiency and mass housing, which continued until the mid-70s.

Khrushchevkas are typically low-rise, with simple rectangular designs with minimal ornamentation. They often feature plain facades with concrete or brick materials, and the interiors are practical, with small rooms and basic amenities.

The buildings were compact, often only five stories tall, and served the goal of fast construction and housing as many people as possible.

Neighborhoods like Saburtalo and parts of Gldani, developed during this era, are examples of Khrushchevkas. In particular, Saburtalo’s Kavtaradze Street is the oldest, followed by the blocks on Nutsubidze Street (not the plateau).

Below, I talk more in detail about Khrushchevkas and how it changed the lives of Soviet citizens.

Soviet Brutalist architecture (1970s-1980s)

Brutalism, an architectural style, emerged in the post-war United Kingdom and is characterized by raw, exposed materials, especially concrete, and its bold, blocky, and geometric forms. The term “Brutalism” comes from the French word ‘béton brut’ and means “raw concrete.”

The style became prominent in the Soviet Union in the 1970s. It was influenced by Western Brutalist architecture but adapted to the country’s unique socio-political and economic conditions.

Therefore, buildings that often look rough, heavy, imposing, and intimidating became another defining feature of Soviet architecture.

Tbilisi Brutalism is particularly notable for its experimental and monumental structures.

The current Bank of Georgia Headquarters, designed with a modular, stacked design inspired by Japanese Metabolism, is one of the most iconic examples.

Soviet Modernism (1960s-1980s)

Developed alongside Brutalism, Soviet Modernism underlines elegant, futuristic structures with glass facades, cleaner lines, curved forms, and open spaces. It aimed to modernize Soviet cities while still sticking to socialist principles.

In contrast to Brutalism’s heavy concrete structures, Soviet Modernism in Tbilisi features lighter and more dynamic forms.

The Tbilisi Chess Palace, Palace of Rituals (a.k. Wedding Palace), Concert Hall, Ortachala Bus Station and the Sports Palace are prime examples of modern Soviet architecture in Tbilisi.

They balance futuristic elements with socialist ideals, functionality with forward-thinking aesthetics, and reflect an era when architects experimented with shapes and materials.

Mass residential construction (1960s-1980s)

Mass residential districts and neighborhood development continued after Khrushchev, and broad government support across the Soviet Union enabled this construction to thrive, quickly supplying many families with affordable homes.

Beyond these monumental designs and styles, modern architecture in Tbilisi included vast residential districts built to accommodate the city’s growing population in more high-rise blocks than before. 

Micro-districts in Saburtalo, Varketili, Gldani, and Vazisubani are filled with Soviet-era high-rise apartment blocks—utilitarian, repetitive, and built for efficiency rather than beauty. Today, they became canvases for beautiful murals in Tbilisi.

This massive construction phase followed a strict urban planning approach and layout, allowing residents easy access to schools, shops, and public transport.

Top iconic buildings of Soviet architecture in Tbilisi

Palace of Rituals (a.k.a Wedding Palace)

Perched on a hill overlooking the Ortachala neighborhood, the Palace of Rituals is one of the most visually impressive examples of Soviet architecture in Georgia.

This unique building (commissioned in 1979 and finished in 1985), designed by Victor Jorbenadze and Vazha Orbeladze, is known for its bold, complex, and experimental approach to modernist design.

The design of the Palace of Rituals is unlike anything else in Tbilisi architecture. Its exterior is monumental and imposing, while its layout carries a deeply metaphorical meaning.

Jorbenadze, whose mother was a gynecologist, shaped the interior to mirror the female reproductive system. When viewed from above, the main entrance represents the birth canal, while the two side chapels symbolize ovaries.

At the heart of the structure, the ceremonial hall—the “womb”—served as the place where couples were united in marriage, a nod to the creation of new life.

This blend of architectural symbolism and functionality was extremely rare in Soviet-era designs, making the Palace of Rituals genuinely stand out.

In 2002, oligarch Badri Patarkatsishvili bought the palace from the state and converted it into his private residence, which remains so even today. The family occasionally opens it for public tours and viewing.

Bank of Georgia Headquarters

Another impressive example is the former Ministry of Highway Construction, which has housed the Bank of Georgia Headquarters since 2007.

Despite the privatization, its raw concrete exterior, geometric accuracy, and futuristic image remain unchanged, making it an iconic landmark of modern Soviet architecture in Tbilisi.

This bold statement of brutalist architecture was initially designed in 1975 by architects Giorgi Chakhava and Zurab Jalaghania and remains one of the most recognizable famous buildings in Georgia and the former Soviet Union.

The building, often compared to a massive concrete puzzle stacked against the hillside, has a design concept that follows the principles of the “Space City” or “Horizontal Skyscraper“—a radical approach inspired by the Japanese Metabolist movement.

Instead of the typical high-rise block, the architects envisioned a structure where different volumes are stacked on top of one another, supported by only three core pillars.

The idea was aesthetic and practical: by raising sections, the green landscape below is preserved, allowing nature to interweave through the structure.

Its distinctive interlocking blocks give the impression that the building is almost precariously balanced, while each cantilevered section that extends outward creates the illusion of hovering over the green ground.

Tbilisi Archaeological Museum and nearby water cisterns

Located on a hill in the Dighomi Massive near Didube Metro Station, the Tbilisi Archaeological Museum is a forgotten landmark of Soviet architecture in Georgia.

Constructed in 1988 by architects Shota Kavlashvili and Shota Bostanashvili, the museum was initially created to display more than 1,000 artifacts excavated during more than 200 expeditions across Georgia.

However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the museum fell into neglect and has remained closed, abandoned, and sealed for years.

The building’s most fascinating feature is its circular design, which resembles an ancient burial mound or ceremonial temple. The massive bas-relief on top of the entrance, created by sculptor Tengiz Kikalishvili, shows a person lying in an ancient grave.

Though visitors can no longer step inside, the exterior alone is worth seeing for those interested in Soviet-era experimental architecture.

Behind the building, you’ll find a set of Soviet-built circular water cisterns, once crucial for the city’s water supply. From the inside, they have an oddly futuristic aesthetic.

NOTE: From early 2025, these cisterns have been fenced off, limiting exploration, and might not be included in the organized tours anymore.

Don’t miss the nearby beautiful monument to St. Nino, Georgia’s most respected religious figure who brought Christianity to the country in the 4th century.

The status was created by the famous sculptor Zurab Tsereteli (author of The Chronicles of Georgia (below) and St. George’s Statue on Freedom Square) from 1988 to 1994.

Nutsubidze Skybridge

Tucked away in Tbilisi’s Saburtalo district, the Nutsubidze Skybridge is another remarkable example of Soviet architecture in Tbilisi, blending brutalist design with urban functionality.

Built between 1974 and 1976 by architects Otar Kalandarishvili and Gizo Potskhishvili, the Nutsubidze Skybridge refers to metal bridges suspended high above the steep terrain connecting three of the Nutsubidze Plateau’s massive residential blocks.

Designed to solve the area’s challenging elevation changes and inspired by Georgia’s historic village of Shatili, in the Khevsureti mountain region, where bridges connect houses, the architects had a broader vision of creating a network of sky bridges connecting the entire neighborhood, but the plan never materialized.

The Nutsubidze Skybridge is one of the unique walkways in the city. It attracts tourists interested in Brutalist architecture in Tbilisi, while locals use it to take shortcuts to the top of the hill.

The practical and visually compelling design offers a raw, unpolished aesthetic that defines much of Tbilisi’s Soviet-era infrastructure. It also provides panoramic views of the Nutsubidze Plateau and Soviet residential apartment micro-districts.

Khrushchevkas (in detail)

As mentioned briefly above, Nikita Khrushchev, the leader of the Soviet Union after Stalin, introduced a radical change in apartment planning and construction.

The decree he issued to release millions of prisoners from labor camps who flocked to the cities in search of work and home placed even tremendous tension on the already weakened housing market.

The new four—to five-story apartment blocks with almost identical forms soon appeared throughout the Soviet Union, including Tbilisi.

During the mass construction of Khrushchevkas, the main idea was to build buildings fast and cheaply and to accommodate as many families as possible in one building.

It took an average of 12 days to build one block because the concrete panels were made in factories and assembled on the construction site.

This allowed the authorities to relocate millions of people into individual housing quickly. Today, both brick and concrete Khrushchevkas are still in livable condition.

To achieve this, the floor and apartment plans were standardized. The five-square-meter kitchen size was based on the moves required to prepare a basic dish set. The typical living space per person totaled 12 square meters, and the bathroom combined a shower and a toilet.

Depending on the number of family members, apartments with relevant living spaces were given to the citizens. The total flat size did not exceed 58 square meters, even if it included three rooms besides a kitchen and a bathroom.  

Sure, the size of each apartment didn’t seem enormous, and the actual living quarters were stuffed with low ceilings; it didn’t have an elevator and looked pretty dull from the outside.

But it had the biggest advantage compared to the kommunalkas—it was a family’s own private space without sharing with neighbors. This significantly improved the quality of life, as people were more ‘free’ to do whatever they wanted in their private spaces.

Moreover, during this time, the censorship was relaxed, the GULAG sentence almost ended, and Moscow lifted the Iron Curtain slightly.

Interestingly, this period also saw the rise of standardized furniture, where designers had to create minimalist furnishings for flats, such as gateleg tables, “Helga” cabinets, and sofa/chair beds.

Besides having almost identical flats, families also had practically identical furniture whenever you visited relatives or friends. If these items were considered “grandma furniture” in my childhood, I now see them as desired vintage decor many seek in various vintage shops or flea markets.

Parlaiment of Georgia

Today’s Parliament of Georgia on Rustaveli Avenue used to house the Supreme Soviet of Georgian SSR, constructed between 1933 and 1953.

Designed by Viktor Kokorin and Giorgi Lezhava, the building is a monumental example of Stalinist architecture, combining Neoclassical and national Georgian influences.

It consists of two buildings connected by a courtyard, with staircases and fountains, built at different times. The first building was constructed from 1933 to 1938, and the second (facing the Avenue) from 1946 to 1953.

The first building, which is not noticeable from Rustaveli Avenue or the side streets, was the foremost to use lightweight reinforced concrete, pumice concrete blocks, pumice reinforced concrete frames, and new floor structures, which provided significant construction savings.

The second building, dominated by the massive arcade on Rustaveli Avenue you see today, seamlessly connects to the previous building and creates a unified construction.

However, in the years following Georgia’s independence, the building underwent modifications to reflect its new national identity. Communist-era symbolism was removed from the facade and interior, so where the four statues in front.

The Parliament has always played a key role in Georgia’s modern history and served as the epicenter of major political events and demonstrations.   

In 2012, the Parliament moved to Kutaisi as part of a decentralization effort but moved back to Tbilisi in 2019.  

Tbilisi Sports Palace

Another important architectural and engineering venue is Tbilisi Sports Palace, still regarded as the largest basketball-designed arena in the former USSR.

The palace, created in 1956 and opened in 1961, is a work of architects Lado Aleksi-Meskhishvili (who designed Imereti Sanatorium in Tskaltubo, Tbilisi Chess Palace (below), and Liberty Square metro station in Tbilisi) and Yuri Kasradze.

The venue’s most distinguished feature is its unique concrete dome, 76 meters in diameter, invented by structural engineer Davit Kajaia.

Bathhouse #8 in Tskaltubo Spa Town is considered the test ground for such a reinforced concrete dome before it was used for the Sports Palace.

This multipurpose indoor hall was primarily used for Dinamo Tbilisi’s basketball games in the past and can still host various sporting events, concerts, and large-scale gatherings.

Its seating capacity is around 11,000 people. The engineering solution is a spacious, column-free interior that allows spectators a clear view of the event. Numerous doors ensure a traffic-free entrance and exit to the arena.

While it has undergone renovations over the decades, most of its original architectural details remain intact.

Tbilisi Chess Palace

Located inside the Vere Park, the Tbilisi Chess Palace and Alpine Club is one of the examples of late Soviet modernist architecture in Tbilisi. The venue, often only referred to as “The Chess Palace,” was initially intended for both sports.

Designed by architects Lado Aleksi-Meskhishvili and Germane Ghudushauri, the Chess Palace was opened in 1973 and is devoted to Nona Gaprinashvili, a five-time world chess champion who was 33 at the time.

When working on the design, the architects were tasked with harmoniously accommodating two types of sports with each other with an adequate decorative design for both.

The three-story Chess Palace organically fits into the park infrastructure in diagonal relief. It’s not too big and doesn’t take up much public space.

Glass windows and doors give lightness and do not disturb the outside view; at the same time, they bring the flow of natural light inside. My favorite part of the outer wall features crown-shaped stones.

With its well-thought-out plan, the entire building is designed around the main hall, accommodating 520 viewers. If necessary, six mobile panels on side galleries open to provide more space and natural light.

Since 2019, the Tbilisi Chess Palace and the Alpine Club have been enlisted as a Cultural Heritage Monument of Georgia. The building remains in use today but has seen less attention recently.

Tbilisi Metro Stations

While Tbilisi’s metro system might not be as grand or artistically elaborate as the famous underground networks in Moscow or Tashkent, it still holds historical significance, and a few stations are worth exploring.

Opened in 1966, the Tbilisi Metro was the fourth metro system in the Soviet Union, following Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kyiv. It currently has two lines spanning 27.3 kilometers and 23 stations.

Built as a practical transportation solution and a reflection of Soviet-era aesthetics, the metro in Tbilisi is very deep, similar to other stations in ex-Soviet states.

Some Tbilisi metro stations feature monumental columns, bas-reliefs, and mosaics. Stations like 300 Aragveli, Technical University, Grmaghele, and Station Square stand out with elaborate ornamental reliefs, while others have a minimalist feel.

Over the years, some stations have undergone renovations, replacing Soviet-era memorabilia with modern designs or decor items. However, several others remain intact.

The metro system is still one of the most efficient ways to navigate the city, especially given Tbilisi’s increasing traffic.

Lower station of Rustaveli-Mtatsminda cable car

Once an essential part of Tbilisi’s public transport network, cable cars helped residents navigate the city’s steep terrain. However, most of these lines were demolished after the collapse of the USSR, leaving only a few remnants scattered across the city.

One of the most prominent examples of Soviet architecture is the Rustaveli-Mtatsminda lower station, a remarkable modernist structure built in 1959 to commemorate 1500 years of Tbilisi’s foundation.

The station, located in the backyard of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences behind Rustaveli Avenue, features a freestanding oval symmetric tower that looks exceptionally light thanks to large glazed arches.

The big windows have finely patterned metalwork that lets light into the inner area. Inside, the two spiral walkways wrap around the oval shape, providing a sense of openness and space.

Designed as a transport hub for workers and tourists heading to Mtatsminda Park, the cable car worked until 1990. It was closed down right after a tragic accident on June 1 that killed 19 people and injured more than 40.

The station remained abandoned for over 30 years, but a two-year restoration project brought it back to life in 2024.

Further Reading: Check out my Tbilisi transport guide for more details on the city’s present cable cars.

Former National Scientific Technical Library of Georgia

Also known as the Technical Library, this monument to Brutalist architecture was designed by architect Georgiy Bichiashvili and opened in 1985.

Although little information about the building or its architect is available, the library’s design is a bold statement in geometry and raw materials. The exterior is dominated by large, exposed concrete vertical slabs that look like massive radiators.

It still stands weathered but intact today, although it no longer serves as the academic hub it once was.

Georgian Technical University

Renamed the Georgian Technical University in 1990, it was a hub of engineering and technical education in Soviet Georgia titled as Georgian Polytechnical Institute.

The main campus, located in the Saburtalo district diagonally from the Tbilisi Sports Palace, features a massive facade, geometric forms, and a towering scale defined by raw concrete columns, deep-set windows, and heavy, angular forms.

While it might not look as striking or remarkable as other buildings on this list, I have included it because of its shape and form of hammer and sickle when seen from above.

Biltmore Hotel

This grand building on Rustaveli Avenue has a dark history revealed to the public only about a decade ago.

Often called the IMELI building, a Georgian version of the Institute’s Russian acronym IMEL, it is an example of Stalin-era Socialist Classicism architecture in Tbilisi.

Constructed between 1934 and 1938 based on the design by Alexey Shchusev to house a Tbilisi branch of the Marx-Engels-Lenin Institute, it has been turned into a luxury Biltmore Hotel that opened its doors in 2016.

Shchusev’s symmetrical U-shaped building is monumental and expressive. Its facades appear different from various angles but converge in a unified composition. The front is classically Stalinist, while the back is in Constructivism.

The Rustaveli Avenue facade is approximately 81 meters long, dominated by 17-meter-high, widely spaced columns. The entablature, up to 5 meters high, has a narrow strip of architrave and a deliberately wide frieze covered entirely with bas-relief.

The bas-relief (created by Iakob Nikoladze and Tamar Abakelia) showcases the success and progress of Soviet Georgia through scenes of industrialization and agriculture. The empty square frames used to feature Soviet leaders, including Stalin, but after the collapse of the USSR, Communist-era symbols and decorations were removed.

From 1991, the building was used for various governmental purposes, including as a Parliament of Georgia from 1992 to 1995, when Georgia’s first post-Soviet constitution was approved on August 25, 1995.

In the late 2000s, the building was sold to open a five-star Kempinski hotel. The company demolished some parts of the building without permission in the reconstruction process, and several of its original elements were lost.

By 2008, the building had been sold to Abu Dhabi United Group, which consented to stop the demolition and maintain the historic facade.

The renovation revealed a disturbing story about the building—underground secret prison cells from Stalin and Lavrenti Beria‘s time (late 30s) beneath the basement. The blueprints obviously didn’t include the cells, which weren’t unearthed during an earlier inspection.

To add even more troubling information, the workers also found cemetery gravestones from three cemeteries destroyed during the 1920s and 1930s, utilized as interior walls and columns of the Institute.

Obviously, the number of prisoners kept here or the length of time these prison cells were used is unknown.

Academy of Sciences of Georgia

The Academy of Sciences building, standing tall along Rustaveli Avenue, is probably the most recognizable Soviet-era landmark.

Construction started in 1949 and was almost finished in 1953, but it was not fully completed even in the 60s. The building was initially intended as the headquarters of Saknakhshiri (translated as Georgian Coal).

Due to its structure, the famous Stockholm city hall is believed to have inspired and influenced the volumetric-spatial Sakhnakhshiri administrative building. Others believe that Stalin’s famous Seven Sisters skyscrapers influenced the 55-meter high spire tower, which used to have a Soviet Star symbolism on top.

The five-story horizontal building on the Avenue, covered in Bolnisi tuff stone, is a typical example of the late 1940s and early 1950s architectural style. The ground floor features a long arcade leading to the courtyard and the Rustaveli-Mtatsminda cable car’s lower station.

The beige-colored stone facade, decorative reliefs, and intricate carvings mirror elements of medieval Georgian architecture. After the fall of the Soviet Union, it lost much of its influence and is partially used for scientific research.

Expo Georgia

Expo Georgia is the largest exhibition area. It was initially created in the 1960s to showcase the Soviet Union’s trade, industry, and technology advancements. Its former name was Exhibition of the Successes of the Georgian Economy or VDNKH Exhibition Center.

Designed by a group of leading Georgian architects, it has the open-plan exhibition park model, merging modernist architecture with landscaped public spaces.

The complex has several exhibition pavilions, each with its own architectural character. Some feature sweeping parabolic roofs; others have geometric forms with exposed concrete and large glass facades.

The central fountain and greenery were integrated into the layout to create a welcoming public space rather than a purely industrial exhibition ground.

The 15.3 ha space features a subtropical orangery, eleven exhibition halls, two decorative pools with fountains, and several well-preserved Soviet-era mosaics.

Today, it hosts conferences, cultural events, and seasonal fairs, including the popular Tbilisi Book Festival and wine exhibitions.

The Chronicles of Georgia

Towering above the Tbilisi Sea, The Chronicles of Georgia is one of the city’s most soaring and underrated landmarks.

Often referred to as Georgian Stonehenge, this massive monument was designed by Zurab Tsereteli in the 1980s, though it was never fully completed.

Although not explicitly labeled with a specific Soviet architectural style, it is still a remarkable example of Soviet-era monumental architecture incorporating Georgian history, culture, and national identity in a single structure.

The complex has 16 massive pillars, each 30-35 meters high and adorned with beautiful bronze reliefs. The upper sections depict kings, queens, and key figures from Georgian history, while the lower panels show biblical scenes.

Though it was planned as a cultural site, The Chronicles of Georgia remains a bit of a hidden gem mainly because of its location far from the city center.

The site offers spectacular panoramic views over the Tbilisi Sea and the Soviet residential neighborhoods of Temka and Gldani.

Arashenda Building

Nearby The Chronicles of Georgia, the Arashenda Building is one of Tbilisi’s most peculiar and lesser-known buildings.

Designed by Dimitri Odisharia and Medea Edzgveradze, the building resembles an open book and was initially envisioned as a grand hotel Odishi.

Construction began in 1982, but financial difficulties halted progress, leaving it incomplete. This coined its nickname among locals as “arashenda,” meaning “never finished.”

Today, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who relocated to Tbilisi following the Georgia-Abkhazia conflict of the early 1990s now live in the building.

If you dare walk up 17 floors, you have a fantastic vantage point for The Chronicles of Georgia.

Bagebi Student Dormitory

Often referred to as Studkalaki (student city) in Georgian or Maglivi Dormitory, Bagebi Student Dormitory is another distinctive example of late Soviet-era brutalist architecture built to house Tbilisi State University (TSU) students.

Built in the 1970s, the two tall, thin geometric blocks with cubic-shaped balconies sticking out are impressive. Since the fall of the USSR, the dormitory buildings have been primarily inhabited by families displaced from Abkhazia.

Soviet mosaics and other bygone-era memorabilia

Tbilisi’s Soviet-era mosaics are some of the most visually impressive remnants of the period. They combine propaganda, ideology, and artistic expression into vibrant, large-scale compositions.

These mosaics, found on the facades of buildings, inside metro stations, and in former industrial sites, are works of art that backed Soviet ideals.

They show scientific progress, space exploration, Georgian cultural motifs, various industry developments, and optimistic reality, often featuring workers, farmers, cosmonauts, and abstract patterns.

While most mosaics have suffered neglect, damage, or destruction, some remain well-maintained.

For a detailed guide on where to find the best-preserved and most interesting examples, check out my Soviet Mosaics in Tbilisi guide, which also includes bas-reliefs and other Soviet-era memorabilia.

Soviet bunker in Tbilisi

Tbilisi’s Soviet past is visible not only in its brutalist architecture and mosaics but also hidden underground.

Soviet bunkers, scattered across the city, remain as eerie remnants of Cold War paranoia constructed to protect the city from potential nuclear attacks.

You can find such bunkers in many post-Soviet countries, and one of the great examples of this paranoia I’ve seen is in Krakow’s Soviet utopian neighborhood of Nowa Huta.

There are around 482 bunkers in Tbilisi, but they are largely forgotten and often filled with trash. A few years back, one Soviet bunker was legally opened to the public in Tbilisi’s Nadzaladevi area.

In my detailed post, you can read more about bunkers in Tbilisi and how to visit the first legal bunker.

BONUS: Soviet-related resources for further reading/listening

CCCP: Cosmic Communist Constructions Photographed” by Frédéric Chaubin

This visually stunning book showcases 90 Soviet-era buildings constructed between 1970 and 1990, highlighting their futuristic and often surreal designs. From brutalist concrete structures to sci-fi-inspired government buildings, Chaubin’s photography captures the ambition and eccentricity of late Soviet architecture. Order on Amazon.

Reimagining Soviet Georgia Podcast

This podcast series, produced by a multigenerational, multilingual collective based in Tbilisi, is my recent discovery. It aims to reexamine and reinterpret the history of Soviet Georgia. It features critical research, oral histories, and discussions, offering diverse perspectives on the country’s past. ​Listen on Spotify.

Ajam Podcast #5: Urbanism & Informality in Post-Soviet Tbilisi

This episode delves into the transformation of Tbilisi from a medieval walled city to its current state, discussing its evolution through Tsarist, Soviet, and post-Soviet periods. The conversation highlights how these historical phases have shaped the city’s urban landscape and architecture. Listen here.

Georgian and Soviet:  Entitled Nationhood and the Specter of Stalin in the Caucasus by Claire P. Kaiser

The book Georgian and Soviet examines the unique position of Soviet Georgia, which, following the USSR’s nation-building template, also benefited from Stalin’s Georgian heritage. The author explores how this influenced the republic’s architecture and cultural development. Order on Amazon or watch the Book Talk on YouTube.

Moscow: Art for Architecture – Soviet Mosaics from 1935 to 1990 by James Hill, Anna Petrova, and Evgeniya Kudelina​

This book offers a comprehensive collection of 140 chronologically organized Soviet-era mosaics in Moscow. It explores various styles—Art Deco, Socialist Realism, Modernism, and Postmodernism—and features works by renowned artists alongside lesser-known creators.

The volume provides insights into the evolution of Soviet art as reflected in Moscow’s architectural adornments. Order on Amazon.

Mosaics of Soviet Period in Georgia by Nini Palavandishvili (Available in bookstores in Georgia)

This book is the first dedicated collection of Soviet-era mosaics in Georgia, showcasing works from the late 1960s to the 1980s. It highlights the artistic diversity of these monumental-decorative mosaics, from their themes and materials to their placement in urban and rural landscapes.

Life in Soviet Georgia (Available in bookstores in Georgia)

This collection of 70 personal stories offers a profoundly human perspective on life in Soviet Georgia, told by 70 authors who lived through it. Each story represents a year of the USSR’s existence, capturing moments of joy, fear, resilience, and absurdity in a system built on contradictions.