Rustaveli National Theatre, Tbilisi
The Rustaveli National Theatre, situated on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, is the country's largest and one of its oldest theaters. It was established in 1887 and has been named after Georgia's national poet, Rustaveli, since 1921. The theater occupies an elaborate Rococo-style building.
Originally known as the "Artists' Society," the theater's construction began in 1887. Renowned artists, including Lado Gudiashvili, David Kakabadze, and Serge Sudeikin, were commissioned to create frescoes in the basement. Mose and Iracly Toidze later joined the project. Sadly, the Soviet era led to the whitewashing of the magnificent frescoes in the lower level of Rustaveli Theatre, with only a small portion restored.
In 1921, the theater was renamed Rustaveli Theatre and was constructed with the financial support of Alexander Mantashev. The design of the building was created by Cornell K. Tatishchev and Aleksander Szymkiewicz, who was the Municipal Architect of Tbilisi at the time. From 2002 to 2005, the theater underwent an extensive renovation.
The theater consists of three stages: the main stage with approximately 800 seats, the small stage with 283 seats, and a Black Box Theatre with 182 seats, which is used for experimental performances. Additionally, the theater provides spaces for conferences and events, including a large ballroom, a small ballroom, and a small foyer.
Originally known as the "Artists' Society," the theater's construction began in 1887. Renowned artists, including Lado Gudiashvili, David Kakabadze, and Serge Sudeikin, were commissioned to create frescoes in the basement. Mose and Iracly Toidze later joined the project. Sadly, the Soviet era led to the whitewashing of the magnificent frescoes in the lower level of Rustaveli Theatre, with only a small portion restored.
In 1921, the theater was renamed Rustaveli Theatre and was constructed with the financial support of Alexander Mantashev. The design of the building was created by Cornell K. Tatishchev and Aleksander Szymkiewicz, who was the Municipal Architect of Tbilisi at the time. From 2002 to 2005, the theater underwent an extensive renovation.
The theater consists of three stages: the main stage with approximately 800 seats, the small stage with 283 seats, and a Black Box Theatre with 182 seats, which is used for experimental performances. Additionally, the theater provides spaces for conferences and events, including a large ballroom, a small ballroom, and a small foyer.
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Rustaveli National Theatre on Map
Sight Name: Rustaveli National Theatre
Sight Location: Tbilisi, Georgia (See walking tours in Tbilisi)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tbilisi, Georgia (See walking tours in Tbilisi)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tbilisi, Georgia
Create Your Own Walk in Tbilisi
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tbilisi is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Rustaveli Avenue Walking Tour
If Tbilisi is the heart of Georgia, then Rustaveli Avenue is its pulse. As the capital's main artery, the importance 鈥� historical, cultural, or architectural 鈥� of this vibrant and bustling thoroughfare is hard to overestimate.
Named after the renowned medieval Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli, the avenue starts from Freedom Square 鈥� a key downtown landmark, home to the iconic statue of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Named after the renowned medieval Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli, the avenue starts from Freedom Square 鈥� a key downtown landmark, home to the iconic statue of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tbilisi Introduction Walking Tour
A gateway to Georgia straddling the Mtkvari (Kura) River, the country's capital Tbilisi is one of the most historic cities in the Caucasus region, dating back over a thousand years. It was founded in the 5th century AD by the monarch of Iberia (Georgia's ancient precursor), King Vakhtang I Gorgasali.
According to legend, the king's falcon found the hot springs, near which the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
According to legend, the king's falcon found the hot springs, near which the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles