A 19th century old wooden house on Betlemi Street is a real architectural jewel of Tbilisi. It is not known who built this unique house or who used to live there, but it is a fact that the owner had a sophisticated and modern taste. It is noteworthy that this eye-catching vintage house is the only house decorated with colorful stained glass windows in the city. However, Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre as well as The Tbilisi State Academy of Arts are yet another examples where one can meet similar “Victorian”use of stained glass. The old building is one of the distinct attractions for the tourists, having preserved its stained glass windows for over a hundred years. Yet another remarkable feature of this building is its balconies decorated with exquisite carvings and ornaments as well the beautiful spiral staircase.

After seeing this masterpiece displayed on the street one can hardly hold back one’s impressions and excitement. Here is what one foreign blogger and writer named Jennifer says about this house on Betlemi street on her blog From One Iberia to Another: Travels in Georgia and Around:

“The best surprise was actually someone's private house. Walking back along Betlemi street towards my place, I was admiring the balconies of the houses in the neighborhood when an open door caught my attention. There was a colored light that played on the panel of the open door, which attracted my curiosity. The entrance was open, so I stepped inside just to see where the light was coming from. I heard no one around, the street was empty and it would just be for two seconds. I was amazed at what I saw.

The hallway was lined with some of the most beautiful stained glass work I had seen. The picture only gives and impression to its grandeur, as this window went up round a spiral staircase. I might be braver next time to see more, but this was all I saw from just glancing inside the door towards the landing. Apparently, Tbilisi is full of surprises like this, whether it's an old mural or a hidden art nouveau building. Coming back, admiring the new renovated balconies, I realize how lucky I am to be here. For all its quirks and eccentricities, Tbilisi is one of the most amazing places I've been to. Anything is possible here and anything may happen”, writes the foreign writer astonished by the building’s beauty.

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Photo by Victoria Shelest









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