What Is Special for Italian Travelers in Tbilisi?

mukhrang
Jan 17
3 min read

The first historical connection between Italy and Georgia dates back to the 13th century and is associated with the famous traveler Marco Polo. Although he never actually visited Georgia, he mentioned the country in his book, describing Georgians as “brave Christian warriors” and “good sailors.”

In honor of Marco Polo, one of the streets in Tbilisi was named after him, and today several hotels and restaurants also operate under his name.

What I have mentioned so far is a more abstract historical connection. In this article, I would like to tell you about the real and tangible Italian legacy in the capital of Georgia—one that you can still see and touch. This is the story that inspired me to write this article.

Let’s begin.

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Italian Legacy in 19th-Century Tbilisi

The first documentary photographer of the city of Tbilisi—and of Georgia as a whole—was Italian-born Dmitri Yermakov Cribaggio (1846–1916; Yermakov was his mother’s surname). He opened one of the first photographic studios on Rustaveli Avenue No. 19. Many of the earliest photographs of historic buildings in Tbilisi were taken by Yermakov, including the modern City Council building at Liberty Square and the former Youth Palace at Rustaveli Avenue No. 6

(In the 19th century, Georgia was part of the Russian Empire. 1801-1917)

The first systematic architect of Tbilisi was also Italian: Giovanni Scudieri (1817–1851). He designed the first Opera House of Tbilisi, which unfortunately was destroyed by fire and no longer exists, although its location is known. Scudieri also designed the Dry Bridge, the oldest bridge in Tbilisi over the Mtkvari River, which still stands today

Scudieri tragically died in Tbilisi after falling from scaffolding while inspecting one of the buildings for which he was the chief architect. He was buried in a Catholic cemetery in Tbilisi; although the location is known, the cemetery itself was removed during the Soviet period, and his grave was lost. Today, a street in Tbilisi bears his name.

Dry bridge, Architecture Giovani Scudieri

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How Did Scudieri Come to Tbilisi?

Scudieri was born in Lugano, where his mother was from, while his father came from Padua, where Giovanni grew up. His uncle, also an architect, worked in Odessa, and Scudieri’s parents sent him there to study and follow the architectural profession. From Odessa, he later moved to Tbilisi.

The city’s first opera was staffed entirely by Italians. In fact, Italian opera was the first opera not only in Georgia but in the entire South Caucasus. It opened on November 9, 1851, with all performers being Italian, by special invitation of the Russian Emperor. The opera was located at today’s Liberty Square, where the statue of St. George now stands.

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Italian Architects in Modern Tbilisi

Now let us move from the 19th century to modern times. Between 2003 and 2012, Tbilisi experienced another architectural renaissance—one that, once again, could not have happened without Italians.

Some of the most prominent modern buildings in Tbilisi were designed by Italian architects:

• Peace Bridge — designed by Michele De Lucchi, completed in 2011. It is the only pedestrian bridge over the Mtkvari River and the newest one to date. Notably, both the oldest and the newest bridges on the Mtkvari River were designed by Italians.

• Public Service Hall — designed by Massimiliano Fuksas, a striking building with a mushroom-like shape.