Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia), Tbilisi
The Mother of Georgia is one of Tbilisi’s most recognizable landmarks — a towering symbol of the Georgian spirit that overlooks the city from the Sololaki Hill. The monumental statue was erected in 1958, on the occasion of Tbilisi’s 1500th anniversary. Standing 20 meters tall and made of aluminum, the figure represents a woman dressed in traditional Georgian attire, embodying both the strength and hospitality of the nation.
The Mother of Georgia carries a sword in her right hand and a bowl of wine in her left — a dual symbolism that captures Georgia’s historical character. The wine is offered as a gesture of welcome to friends, while the sword stands ready for those who come as enemies. This contrast reflects the Georgian people’s deep-rooted traditions of warmth, courage, and pride.
Just like for the Narikala fortress, the statue is easily accessible by foot or by the cable car from Rike Park, making it a popular stop for tourists exploring the area. At sunset, the aluminum figure glows against the darkening sky, proving why the material was the perfect choice. All these elements were hard not to notice. Thus, the sculptor's exceptional work on the sculpture earned him the prestigious Shota Rustaveli State Prize in 1966.
Beyond its artistic and symbolic value, Mother of Georgia has become an integral part of Tbilisi’s identity. To locals, she is more than a statue — she is a personification of Georgia itself, embodying the nation’s resilience, pride, and enduring spirit.
The Mother of Georgia carries a sword in her right hand and a bowl of wine in her left — a dual symbolism that captures Georgia’s historical character. The wine is offered as a gesture of welcome to friends, while the sword stands ready for those who come as enemies. This contrast reflects the Georgian people’s deep-rooted traditions of warmth, courage, and pride.
Just like for the Narikala fortress, the statue is easily accessible by foot or by the cable car from Rike Park, making it a popular stop for tourists exploring the area. At sunset, the aluminum figure glows against the darkening sky, proving why the material was the perfect choice. All these elements were hard not to notice. Thus, the sculptor's exceptional work on the sculpture earned him the prestigious Shota Rustaveli State Prize in 1966.
Beyond its artistic and symbolic value, Mother of Georgia has become an integral part of Tbilisi’s identity. To locals, she is more than a statue — she is a personification of Georgia itself, embodying the nation’s resilience, pride, and enduring spirit.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tbilisi. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia) on Map
Sight Name: Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia)
Sight Location: Tbilisi, Georgia (See walking tours in Tbilisi)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Tbilisi, Georgia (See walking tours in Tbilisi)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
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 – historical, cultural, or architectural – 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 – 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 – 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
American writer John Steinbeck was highly inspired by a full moon, as he loved the mystery it brought to any streetscape. After visiting Tbilisi, he did not hold back, calling the city „ghost-ridden”. He loved its cryptic atmosphere, shaped by centuries of change.
Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, sits gracefully on both banks of the Kura River, framed by the rolling foothills of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, sits gracefully on both banks of the Kura River, framed by the rolling foothills of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles


