Vere Park Tbilisi: Lurji Monastery and 18th-Century Garden

🌳 Historical Park · ⏱️ 1.5–3 hours · 📍 Intersection of Kostava and Nikoladze streets, Tbilisi

🧭 Who this article is for

Vere Park is one of Tbilisi's most content-rich urban parks. In a single visit, you can: see a 12th-century monastery, look inside the Chess Palace, stand by the monuments of two great Georgians, go out to an observation deck overlooking the city, and play tennis or basketball. Entrance is free. This article is for those who want to understand exactly what to see here.

🕰️ History: from an 18th-century garden to the present day

In the second half of the 18th century, the territory of the current park belonged to the ancient noble Danibegashvili family. It was a family garden. Until the 20th century, a cemetery also existed here — it has long been demolished.

By the mid-20th century, the park was already popular among Tbilisi residents, considered a "prestigious place for relaxation" with an entertainment program.

In the USSR, the park was named after Kirov. In 1936, architect N. Tsitsishvili carried out a reconstruction, and sculptor K. Merabishvili created the Kirov monument. After Georgia restored its independence, the park's historical name was returned — Vere.

⛪ What remains from the 12th century

Two architectural monuments have been preserved on the park's territory, which are enough reason on their own to visit:

• Lurdzhi (Blue) Monastery — a medieval monastery from the 12th century. "Lurdzhi" means blue in Georgian. It is one of the few medieval monasteries preserved directly inside a city park.
• Church of St. John the Theologian — another historical site on the territory. Both structures create a unique contrast: amusement rides and a volleyball court stand right next to thousand-year-old architecture.

🎭 The legend of Pirosmani and Marguerite

According to legend, it was in Vere Park that the artist Niko Pirosmani first met the touring French actress Marguerite de Sèvres. The romance that sparked between them became the basis for the popular Soviet song "Million Scarlet Roses".

Whether this is true is not known for certain. But the legend is passed down from generation to generation, and the place itself is still associated with this story.

♟️ The Chess Palace — in honor of Nona Gaprindashvili

One of the park's most unexpected features is the two-story Chess Palace. It is dedicated to Nona Gaprindashvili — the Soviet-Georgian chess player, five-time USSR champion, and the first woman in history to receive the title of FIDE International Grandmaster among men. Architects V. Aleksi-Meskhishvili and G. Gudushauri worked on the project.

The palace is an active venue for chess tournaments and a club, where people of all ages clash over the chessboard.

🏔️ Mountaineering: the Japaridze family

Alesha, Simon, and Aleksandra Japaridze — the founders of mountaineering in Georgia and the USSR — are buried in Vere Park. This family made a huge contribution to the development of mountain sports. The mountaineering club in the park is named after Alesha Japaridze.

The facilities for mountaineering and rock climbing are part of the sports complex. Nearby are basketball and volleyball courts, a boxing ring, and a tennis court.

🗿 Two monuments, two destinies

In the center of the park stand two iconic figures of Georgian culture:

• Ekvtime Takaishvili (1863–1953) — a Georgian historian, archaeologist, and benefactor. The man who evacuated Georgian cultural treasures to Europe in 1921, saving them from destruction, and returned them to his homeland when it became possible.
• Merab Kostava (1939–1989) — a poet, musician, and human rights activist. One of the key figures in the struggle for Georgia's independence, who spent more than 10 years in Soviet prisons and exile.

🌳 Nature and trails: 61 species and an observation deck

61 species of trees and shrubs: spruce, zelkova, cedar, oak, and many others. Trails spanning about 8 km are perfect for running, walking, and cycling.

An observation deck with a view of Tbilisi. According to visitors' accounts, a ski jump once stood here — now it is an observation deck with a railing. The view of the city is one of the best in the Vere district.

In the evening, the park is illuminated: during the dark season, you can continue walking without a flashlight.

🗺️ How to spend time in the park

1️⃣ Enter the park from the Kostava St. side and immediately find the Lurdzhi Monastery — a medieval 12th-century structure right amidst the city's greenery.

2️⃣ Walk to the monuments of Ekvtime Takaishvili and Merab Kostava. Knowing their biographies makes standing next to them a completely different experience.

3️⃣ Drop by the Chess Palace — watch a game or play one. It's a two-story building dedicated to Nona Gaprindashvili.

4️⃣ Find the burial site of the Japaridze family — the founders of Georgian mountaineering. Nearby is the Alpine club named after them.

5️⃣ Walk along the trails (about 8 km) or head up to the observation deck.

6️⃣ After your walk, visit a cafe or restaurant near the park — the Vere district is well-stocked with venues.

💬 What visitors say

"Vere Park in Tbilisi is a wonderful place to relax, where nature and history combine. It is especially impressive that there is a 12th-century monastery and a Chess Palace on its territory."

"It's amazing how many sites in Georgia you can visit for free. There's even a Chess Palace! And a monastery inside the park. Considering it's just a park — it's impressive."

"Many great people are connected to this park. This place is poetic: a cemetery, a meeting place for lovers, reconstructions, and changes after changes. Apparently, that's why so many cultural figures have touched this place."

"I've lived in Tbilisi all my life; the park is truly an excellent place for walks and outdoor sports."

🏁 Why you should visit

Vere Park is a city park only by formal status. In essence, it is a multi-layered space where during a single walk you can see 12th-century structures, learn about Nona Gaprindashvili and Ekvtime Takaishvili, stand at the burial site of the founding family of mountaineering, and climb up to an observation deck with a view of all of Tbilisi. Entrance is free. The view is real.

ℹ️ Entrance to the park is free. Cafes, restaurants, and hotels are near the park, on Kostava St. and in the Vere district. The Tbilisi Concert Hall (Philharmonic) is nearby. Information is current at the time of publication.

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