Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia)
The 20-metre aluminium symbol of Tbilisi on the Sololaki ridge — wine bowl, sword and the city's best panorama.
- Time needed
- 1 h
- From Tbilisi
- 3 km · 0:15
- Road
- Paved
- Car needed
- Economy class
- Season
- All year
- Entry
- free
Kartlis Deda watches over Tbilisi as the city's defining symbol — a 20-metre aluminium figure on the Sololaki ridge that appears in almost every skyline view, and whose feet offer the classic panorama of the Old Town.
The monument went up in 1958 for the 1,500th anniversary of Tbilisi's founding; the sculptor was Elguja Amashukeli. The original figure was wooden, clad in aluminium in 1963, and replaced entirely with a new statue in 1997. The symbolism is famous: in her left hand she holds a bowl of wine for those who come as friends, in her right a sword for those who come as enemies.
Getting up is half the fun:
- The cable car from Rike Park reaches the upper station by Narikala in about four minutes
- A ridge path links the statue with Narikala Fortress
- Views open over the Botanical Garden gorge along the way
At sunset the city below turns gold — the best hour for photos. Wind blows on the ridge almost constantly, and in winter stretches of the path ice over, so decent shoes help here too.
Practical advice
The statue itself is free; the cable car runs on a Metromoney card, sold at the lower station. It operates until late evening but stops in strong wind. Sunset is crowded — come early morning and you'll have the ridge almost to yourself. Railings are patchy along the drop, so watch children. Water and coffee are sold near the upper station; toilets are down in Rike Park.
How to get there from Tbilisi
You can't drive right up to the statue — and shouldn't try: Sololaki's lanes are narrow and one-way. The easiest plan is to park at the paid lots by Europe Square or Rike Park and ride the cable car up. Alternatively, take the Kojori road towards Okrokana and walk ten minutes along the ridge from Narikala's upper entrance. It's about 3 km from the centre, fifteen minutes. An economy car is entirely sufficient — asphalt the whole way.
Click a marker for details. Coloured lines are ready-made road trips.
Nearby places
Narikala Fortress
A 4th-century citadel on the ridge above the Old Town — the defining silhouette of Tbilisi and its best viewpoint.
Tbilisi Botanical Garden
A garden in the ravine behind Narikala, ending at a waterfall — complete silence ten minutes from the centre.
Betlemi Quarter and the Stairs
A pedestrian quarter climbing the ridge below Narikala, with stone stairs, two churches and an old fire temple.
Abanotubani and the Sulphur Baths
The birthplace of Tbilisi — brick-domed sulphur bathhouses in the heart of the Old Town.
Best car for this trip
Guides
- Driving in Georgia: What the Distances Actually Cost You Georgia is a small country with slow roads. Here is what 267 measured drives from Tbilisi say about how long y
Pickup locations
Car Rental in Tbilisi — 1 km (straight line)