Please note that the tour takes place in an enclosed territory, so please arrive on time, as latecomers cannot join the group once the tour has started.
The Tbilisi Palace of Rituals was built in 1985 by the Georgian architect Victor Jorbenadze. Its main purpose was to bring ceremonial splendour and socialist values to wedding rituals. Jorbenadze aimed to solve a major architectural challenge of his time by combining traditional Georgian elements with an innovative postmodernist approach. The palace was supposed to be one of the city's main attractions, but after the collapse of the USSR, it was not accepted by the new government and was purchased by a Georgian businessman, Badri Patarkatsishvili. Palace was closed to the public for more than thirty years and only from July 2022 its doors are open for private tours.
In this tour, we'll explore the Palace of Rituals, examine its value and significance for Georgian architecture, and see Patarkatsishvili's collection. We'll also visit the Arkadia Palace, which was built later by the new owner in the same location.
In this tour, you will visit:
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The Palace of Rituals and its interiors, including the ceremonial hall, towers, and other rooms.
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Arcadia Palace, built by Badri Patarkatsishvili.
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The garden with rare plants and peacocks.
You will also discover:
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Why registry offices were replaced by marriage ceremonial palaces.
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What architectural styles were merged in the interior and exterior of the Palace of Rituals.
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How the society reacted to the Palace of Rituals and what was the fate of the building.
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Who Badri Patarkatsishvili is, why he purchased the Palace, and what changes he made.
Duration: 2-2.5 hours
Starting point: 21 Bochorma St. Meet at the entrance to the Palace of Rituals at the barrier.
Where we finish: the same place.
Organisational points:
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Renovations are taking place at the Palace of Rituals, so wear comfortable shoes and clothes!
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You'll recognize our guide by the sign 'Tbilisi through the eyes of an engineer.'
Тбилиси Глазами Инженера
