If you have seen the usual tourist attractions in Tbilisi and wondering where to go next, you'll probably be looking at this one. Just one bus away, hiring a guide or booking a taxi is unnecessary! You can do it yourself and I will guide you on how to go to Chronicles of Georgia by public transportation!
Chronicles of what?
Chronicles of Georgia, commonly known as the ‘Memorial History of Georgia’ or just ‘Memorial’ to locals, is a monument with a record of Georgia's history. With its gigantic sculptured pillars, most of its parts depicted the life of Christ and some parts are dedicated to Saint Nino who preached Christianity in the country. Despite being an unfinished monument, the Chronicles of Georgia is a popular side trip among tourists and backpackers.
How to go by Public Transportation:
From the City Center to the Chronicles of Georgia
- From Station Square (where our hotel was located), we took the metro and got off at Ghrmaghele Station.
- Outside the station, we took Bus #60 which was technically a marshrutka. Tell them you're going to the 'Memorial'.
- Right after the stop 'Tbilisi Sea', you will be dropped off at the entrance of the memorial which is not an official bus stop. From the entrance, walk your way up to the pillars. 🙂
From the Chronicles of Georgia to the City Center
- Going back, you have to walk a little further to reach the bus stop on the other side of the road. Take Bus #60 again to go back to Ghrmaghele Station.
- Once in Ghrmaghele Station, you can take the metro back to your place or your next destination.
Remember, double-check the destination with the locals and the bus driver. Also, don't forget that they call it 'Memorial' instead of Chronicles of Georgia.
Costs
While I forgot the exact fare that we paid on the bus, I am sure it will not cost you much. Overall, you only need to pay for the following:
- Metro fare from the nearest station to you up to Ghrmaghele Station and back
- Bus fare from Ghrmaghele Station to the Chronicles of Georgia and back
The memorial does not have any entrance fee during our visit, but I'm not sure if they will ask in the future. You may set aside some money for snacks too but apart from that, that's all you have to spend here.
Memorial Highlights:
The whole complex is not very big but there's a handful of things you can explore. The first one that would greet you is the giant scroll with short writing in three languages - Georgian, Russian, and English.
Not as long as the Tian Tan Buddha in Hong Kong, a set of stairs awaits you next.
Climb the stairs to reach the pillars and start savoring all the details on each and every sculpture you can ever find.
A small church stands behind and Wikipedia says it's the 'Church of the Annunciation' and nothing more.
And don't forget to soak in the views. Who doesn't enjoy landscape views? Taken next to the church, is the view of the Zghvisubani District with a backdrop of greenery and hills a little further. It was an unconventional view for me as we got to see the Soviet-style apartment blocks which were not usual to be showcased in blogs. However, it screams the destination's character as a former member of the Soviet Republic.
Last but not least is the refreshing view of the Tbilisi Sea. Technically a lake, it is a famous destination for the locals, especially during summer.
Overall Experience
While our visit here was short and sweet, we enjoyed the change of scenery away from the bustling city of Tbilisi.
We enjoyed roaming around the area however we found that it would be helpful to have some information boards for visitors to read. If you're a history buff, I'm sure you'd feel the same. And if that's the case, maybe hiring a local guide would help.
Apart from that, the Chronicles of Georgia is an interesting place to visit in Tbilisi and as I said, it's so easy to go by public transport. So what are you waiting for?
If you want to find out our itinerary, check it out on my blog - Backpacking the Caucasus Region!
One comment on “How to Go to Chronicles of Georgia by Public Transportation”
Wow! Nice photos chelly...loved all of them...its surprising how amazingly you get all the precious time to get into beautiful places like this. Im hoping to join you in your travel adventure next time!