Meidan Bazaar (Vakhtang Gorgasali Square)

Vakhtang Gorgasali Square, traditionally known to Tbilisi residents as Meidan, is the ancient historical center of the city. For centuries, it served as Tiflis's main transport and commercial hub, where caravans, pilgrims, and travelers from across the globe converged. At one time, the square adjoined the famous covered "dark rows" where oriental fabrics, weapons, and spices were sold, and the district itself was a nexus of cultural and religious life that inspired the poet Sayat-Nova and the painter Niko Pirosmani.

During large-scale reconstructions of the Soviet era, the Maidan itself changed considerably: for the construction of a new embankment and bridge, old caravanserais and the unique Shiite Mosque were demolished, and the square turned into a traffic intersection. Nevertheless, the charm of the old city was preserved in the details: on the adjoining alleys with their narrow house facades, and in the view opening from here onto Metekhi Cliff and the ancient Church of Saint George (Surb Gevorg).

Right beneath the square lies Meidan Bazaar. This modern underground space, arranged inside a former Soviet pedestrian underpass and skillfully styled after historic brick vaults, carries on centuries-old trading traditions. Today it offers city guests the finest Georgian wine, ceramics, handmade crafts, and sweets.

A stroll through Meidan Bazaar is an opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the legendary Silk Road. Descending here, you seem to step back in time to when an oriental market bustled right on this cobblestone pavement and camel caravans rested. Visiting this place allows you not only to purchase authentic souvenirs, but also to touch Tbilisi's living commercial past that continues to throb in the very heart of the capital.