Archaeological Museum

The former Archaeological Museum is located on one of the hills in the Dighomi district. This large brutalist building attracts attention with its monumental forms and an unusual bas-relief above the entrance symbolizing the connection of eras and archaeological discoveries. The square in front of the museum offers views of residential quarters and hills surrounding Tbilisi.

A unique feature of the museum is that it was constructed upon three large water reservoirs that already stood atop the hill. The architects decided to incorporate them as part of the future building, placing exhibition spaces inside. Thanks to this, the museum acquired an unusual form resembling ancient burial mounds. Nearby is the Treli burial ground, one of the region’s largest archaeological sites, whose discoveries formed the foundation of the museum collection.

Prior to the museum's closure, more than ten thousand archaeological artifacts were preserved here: gold and bronze jewelry, weapons, ceramics, and other Bronze Age items. Today the building is closed to visitors, yet remains one of the most famous monuments of Soviet architecture in Tbilisi. On a neighboring hill stands the statue of Saint Nino holding a grapevine cross, clearly visible from many areas of the city.