Chronicles of Georgia

The Chronicles of Georgia is a monument begun in 1985 by the sculptor Zurab Tsereteli on a hill above the Tbilisi reservoir: sixteen pillars, each around thirty metres tall, standing in rows on a platform reached by a broad stair, with the upper sections clad in bronze reliefs of kings, queens and heroes from Georgian history and the lower sections carrying scenes from the life of Christ. It has never been formally completed and there is no signage or visitor infrastructure, which adds to the effect: the scale is enormous, the site is usually empty, and the reservoir and the city spread out below. Sunset is when most people come.

History

The monument on Keeni Hill above the Tbilisi Sea was created by the sculptor Zurab Tsereteli in 1985 and never fully finished. Its 16 pillars, 30-35 metres tall, show kings, queens and heroes in their upper halves and the life of Christ below, and beside them stand the grapevine cross of Saint Nino, who brought Christianity to Georgia, and a chapel dedicated to her (Wikipedia, Chronicle of Georgia).

The main sights

• Sixteen thirty-metre pillars - the columns standing on the platform.
• Bronze reliefs of Georgian history - kings and queens on the upper drums.
• Scenes from the life of Christ - the lower band of the reliefs.
• Views over the reservoir and city - Tbilisi from the hill.

When to go

April to October; sunset is the popular time. Two hours including the taxi out and back. There is no public transport, so arrange a return.

What to expect

There is no interpretation, no facilities, no shade and no transport; a taxi must wait or be arranged. The site is unfinished and parts are rough. It is exposed and windy. Opinions on the sculpture are strongly divided.

Nearby

The Tbilisi Sea is below; central Tbilisi lies south-east.

Key facts