Tamada Bronze Sculpture

Tamada Bronze Sculpture, located at the corner of Shardeni and Sioni Streets, is one of the most recognizable and symbolic attractions in Old Tbilisi. The monument represents a figure of a man holding a drinking horn, seated on a small elevation in the traditional pose of a toastmaster at a Georgian feast. This monument is dedicated not just to a specific person, but to an entire culture of hospitality and ancient winemaking traditions that are an integral part of Georgia's national identity.

The creation history of the sculpture is unique in that it represents an enlarged replica of an ancient archaeological find. The original figurine, dating back to the 7th century BC, was unearthed during excavations in western Georgia, in the vicinity of Vani. The modern rendition of this ancient figure highlights the continuity of traditions, connecting antiquity with the contemporary pulse of the Georgian capital.

Today Tamada has become a popular meeting place and a must-see stop on any traveler's itinerary. According to an established tourist tradition, to make a wish or bring good fortune, one must rub the sculpture's right knee. It is this knee that has been polished to a golden sheen by thousands of touches from passersby. Occasionally, city guests also rub the statue's horn or nose, but the main "lucky" part of the monument invariably remains the right knee. Surrounded by numerous cafes and souvenir shops, the sculpture blends harmoniously into the colorful atmosphere of the pedestrian streets, inviting every visitor to share in legendary Georgian hospitality.