Photographs of Tbilisi's Mother of Georgia

At the top of a ridge near Tbilisi’s Old City is the Narikala Fortress. Near the fortress is the statue of the Mother of Georgia (Kartlis Deda). She can be reached by cable car from Rike Park on the banks of the river.

The silver monument, lit at night, is situated on Sololaki Hill with panoramic views of the city. Georgian sculptor, Elguja Amashukeli, installed the statue in 1958 to mark the 1,500-year anniversary of Tbilisi.

Mother of Georgia is aluminium, 20 metres tall, and dressed in the national costume of Georgia. In her left hand she holds a bowl of wine to greet friends. In her right hand she holds a sword to defend the city against enemies. During the day she lights up with sunlight, and during the evening she glows silver in the floodlights and moonlight.

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