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14 Amazing Facts You Didn't Know About Tbilisi

Prabhakar Pillai
Tbilisi is the capital city of the nation of Georgia. It boasts of a long and eventful history. The city was under Persian and Russian rule at different times. Founded in the 5th century AD, it is now a popular tourist destination.
1. Nearly all Tbilisi homes allow members to smoke inside. Surprisingly,  this is not seen as a bad habit. Rather, it is the indicator of belonging to this charming city.
2. Here, you have to pay money for using lifts in any building. Quite different to the worldwide trend of free lifts.
3. This particular city is similar to the rest of the country of lacking central heating and hot water systems. Here, the richer folk use autonomous gas-based heating systems.
4. Did you know that in 2005, one of the city's streets originally called 'Melanskaja' was renamed to 'George W. Bush Street' to honor the then serving US president who was paying a visit to Georgia?
5. For four centuries, Georgia's capital was an Arab city-state with the name - 'the Emirate of Tbilisi'. This has left distinct imprints on the population's genetic make-up, folk art as well as architecture of this fascinating city.
6.  As the story goes the city's founder - Vakhtang Gorgasali wounded a heath cock which plummeted right into a warm stream resulting in it being cooked in the stream and perishing. Tbilisi translates to 'a warm city' which is close to these 'warm streams'.
7. The city boasts of umpteen streams of sulfurous water where locals enjoy baths. Wherever you are in the city, you are sure to get the smell of rotten eggs.
8. Here, it snows for only a few days annually and whenever it does,  the snow does not last for more than a couple of hours.
9. Way back in 1857 ,the postal stamp 'Tbilisi Unica' was printed in this city making it the first stamp in the whole Russian Empire.
10. Tourists flock to Tbilisi primarily to see its splendid architecture and picturesque lakes.
11. A popular attraction of Tbilisi is the ancient fortress with the name - 'Narikal'. The latter has been overlooking as well as protecting this gorgeous city since the fourth century.
12. The city's name is pronounced Tuh-buh-lee-see.
13. Did you know that the first ever hotel in this exquisite city belonged to as well as was run by a member of Napoleon Bonaparte's army? This particular hotel opened in Tbilisi way back in 1818.
14. Tbilisi is known for its astounding balconies. The latter marry Persian and Georgian styles resulting in colorful and exquisite masterpieces that impress all and sundry.