Tiflis Skyline
Panoramic Views of Old Tbilisi Before the Soviet Era
This featured project brings together panoramic views of Tiflis (Tbilisi) captured from the mid-19th century until the end of the Imperial period. Created by various photographers across different decades, these images document the evolving urban silhouette of the city before the transformations of the Soviet era.
The skyline of Tiflis was never static. Its layered topography — riverbanks, steep hills, balconies, churches, fortifications, wooden houses, domes, and emerging civic architecture — formed a dynamic visual identity shaped by geography and empire. Through these panoramic and elevated perspectives, we observe how the city expanded, densified, and modernized while preserving its distinctive architectural character.
The project includes:
River panoramas and embankments
Hillside and fortress viewpoints
Rooftop and courtyard perspectives
Early photographic surveys of the city
Architectural landmarks within the urban landscape
Together, these photographs offer more than scenic views. They serve as visual documents of urban memory — recording spatial relationships, lost structures, and the historical fabric of Tiflis prior to 20th-century transformation.
This collection is especially valuable for researchers, architects, urban historians, and anyone interested in the architectural evolution of Georgia’s capital.
Curated by: Giorgi Gersamia
Photos
Enhanced Editions Available
