Georgian Literature Museum named after Giorgi Leonidze

📚 Literary museum · ⏱️ 1–2 hours · 📍 Tbilisi, former palace of the Russian viceroy's deputy

🧭 Who this article is for

The Museum of Georgian Literature tends to stay in the shadow of Tbilisi's more "photogenic" attractions. But this is where 130,000 manuscripts are held, along with a 17th-century codex that has no second copy and the personal archives of every major Georgian writer. Entry is free. The building is a former viceroy's palace. This article is for those who want to understand what to look for in these rooms.

🏛️ History: from a jubilee exhibition to a viceroy's palace

In 1829 Tbilisi marked the centenary of Alexander Griboyedov with a jubilee exhibition. The objects displayed there became the first fund of the future museum.

In 1930 the museum was officially opened on the initiative of poet Titsian Tabidze and the Georgian Writers' Federation. A systematic collection effort began immediately: personal archives of writers and public figures buried on Mtatsminda — Dmitry Kapiani, Ilia Chavchavadze, Akaki Tsereteli, Nino Nikoladze.

In 1931 the poet Giorgi Leonidze was appointed director — and under his leadership the bulk of the unique exhibits was assembled.

The name changed with the growing archive. In 1935 — "Mtatsminda Museum of Georgian Writers." In 1938 — "Georgian State Museum of Literature." That same year the museum moved to the former palace of the deputy of the Russian Emperor's Viceroy of the Caucasus, where it remains today. In 1967 it was named after Giorgi Leonidze.

In 2018 a major restoration was completed: the façade and interior were restored, exhibitions updated.

📖 What the collection holds

• 130,000 manuscripts — the museum's core value. Original manuscripts, drafts, letters and documents of all the key Georgian writers.
• 2,000 paintings and graphic works — portraits of writers, illustrations for their works, genre scenes from Georgian literary life.
• 27,000 photographs — a documentary archive: images of writers, editorial offices, literary evenings, places connected with Georgian culture.
• Over 40,000 books — the museum's library, including rare editions.
• Around 1,000 memorial objects — personal effects, furniture, everyday objects belonging to writers.

The centrepiece

"Book of Praise to the Georgian People" (the Khatia-Sofieysky Codex, 17th century) — the only surviving manuscript describing life and culture in medieval Georgia. No second copy exists anywhere.

The Rustaveli exposition

Since 2014 a permanent exhibition "Dedication to Shota Rustaveli" has been on display — drawings, engravings and other materials connected with "The Knight in the Panther's Skin."

🗺️ How to plan your visit

1️⃣ Enter and look at the building — a former palace of the Russian deputy viceroy. The 19th-century architecture is interesting in its own right.

2️⃣ Start with the biographical halls — a chronology of Georgian literature from the Middle Ages to the 20th century through personal archives.

3️⃣ Find the Khatia-Sofieysky Codex — the only surviving 17th-century manuscript describing life in medieval Georgia.

4️⃣ Spend time with the photo archive — 27,000 documentary images give a vivid sense of Georgian literary life across different eras.

5️⃣ Visit the "Dedication to Shota Rustaveli" hall with drawings and engravings based on "The Knight in the Panther's Skin."

💬 What visitors say

"Absolutely striking — a collection of 130,000 manuscripts, 27,000 photographs, 40,000 books and 2,000 artworks. The Giorgi Leonidze State Museum of Literature is definitely a place you should visit."

"After visiting I spent the whole evening looking for Georgian writers' books. Georgian literature turned out to be much richer than I'd imagined."

"The guides told many interesting things and answered all my questions. The Khatia-Sofieysky Codex from the 17th century was of particular interest."

🏁 Is it worth going

Free entry to a 19th-century palace building, 130,000 manuscripts, the world's only copy of a medieval codex — and almost no queues. This is the kind of museum that opens a deeper understanding of a culture than any tourist route. An hour or two, and you'll know more about Georgian literature than most people who never came here.

ℹ️ Entry is free. The museum is closed on Mondays. Guided tours are bookable separately — confirm availability and language. Information is current at the time of publication.

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