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© iStock/kaetana_istock

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Mini Georgia in the Giorgi Chitaia Open-Air Museum

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While traveling, we do not always have enough time to visit the whole country. However, in my country, it is possible to see mini Georgia and get some information about the different regions, by visiting one single place. In this article, I will tell you about that place - the Giorgi Chitaia Open-Air Museum of Ethnography. 

Giorgi Chitaia Open Air Museum of Ethnography
Giorgi Chitaia Open Air Museum of Ethnography
PP3V+PP5, კუს ტბის ქუჩა, T'bilisi, Georgia

History

The Open-Air Museum of Ethnology is located in Tbilisi, on the hill to the west of the Turtle Lake. It was founded by a Georgian ethnographer Giorgi Chitaia in 1966. At the end of the 19th century, a group of people gathered around the idea to create an open-air museum of small Georgia. This group was searching for the houses that were typical for different Georgian regions, and they were moving them to this territory. They re-erected them in the way that each building shows the daily life of each region. In 1976, the Museum of Ethnography was ready to accept the visitors. 

Turtle Lake, Tbilisi
Turtle Lake, Tbilisi
Turtle Lake, Tbilisi, Georgia

A description of the museum

The museum reflects diverse ethnicities of our country and represents the examples of folk architecture and craftwork from different regions of Georgia. It occupies 50 hectares. The museum is divided into 11 zones. Five of them represent the eastern part of Georgia and five - the western part. You can see around 70 buildings that describe different historical regions of the country. The last zone is for the historical-archaeological monuments. There is a Basilica of Sioni from the 5th-6th centuries and different ancient gravestones that are collected from all over the country. 

© wikipedia/Kober
© wikipedia/Kober

When you enter the museum, you will see the statues of grandparents which creates a feeling that they are waiting for their children and grandchildren to tell them their story. You will feel that time stops, and you are actually walking in the past, in their stories and lives. There are different working tools and household items that create a special aura. So, in a couple of hours, you can see the whole of Georgia and get information on the living styles of each part of the country. Visitors are amazed by this place, as they realize how small and at the same time diverse Georgia is. 

Other functions of the museum

The Open-Air Museum of Ethnography is also a scientific-educational center. Here are kept different material, spiritual and cultural heritage monuments. The educational center is a great opportunity for the children to have a practical study of the traditional blacksmith techniques and other craftworks. The Museum of Ethnography works every day except on Mondays from 10:00 to 18:00. 

© Advantour/author unknown
© Advantour/author unknown

While in Georgia, do not miss the Open-Air Museum of Ethnography. It is a great chance to see a mini version of Georgia in one place. As a result, you will be more aware of which region of the country attracts you the most. So, after visiting the museum, you can plan your next trip to explore the country.

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The author

Anano Chikhradze

Anano Chikhradze

I am Anano. I Iove travelling, history and getting to know people from all over the world. I write about Georgia, my country, and I am sure everybody will fall in love with it.

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