History of Tbilisi in Timeline

Tbilisi, formerly known as Tiflis, is the capital and largest city of Georgia, situated on the Kura River. Founded in the 5th century AD by Vakhtang I of Iberia, it has been the capital of various Georgian states. Home to approximately 1.2 million people, representing about a third of Georgia's population. From 1801 to 1917, it served as the seat of the Caucasus Viceroyalty within the Russian Empire, governing both the northern and southern Caucasus regions.

1904: Establishment of electric tram network

In 1904, Tbilisi had an electric tram network.

1905: Opening of the Tbilisi Funicular

The Tbilisi Funicular originally opened in 1905.

1917: End of Russian Imperial Period

Few buildings survived the 1795 destruction of the city, so most historic structures date to the Russian Imperial period (1801–1917).

1917: Tbilisi part of the Russian Empire

In 1917, Tbilisi was part of the Russian Empire and served as the seat of the Caucasus Viceroyalty, governing both the northern and southern sides of the Caucasus.

1917: Tbilisi as location of Transcaucasus interim government

In 1917, after the Russian Revolution, Tbilisi served as a location of the Transcaucasus interim government.

February 1918: Founding of Tbilisi State University

On 8 February 1918, Tbilisi State University (TSU), the largest and oldest university in the Caucasus, was founded.

May 1918: Independence declared in Tbilisi

In May 1918, the independence of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan was declared in Tbilisi by their respective national councils.

1918: Foundation of Tbilisi State University

In 1918, the Tbilisi State University was founded, turning Tbilisi into the first Caucasian University City.

1919: Tbilisi as headquarters

From 1918 to 1919, Tbilisi consecutively served as the headquarters of the country's German garrison and later the British 27th Division.

February 1921: End of Democratic Republic of Georgia

On 25 February 1921, Tbilisi ceased to function as the capital of the Democratic Republic of Georgia.

February 1921: Soviet Invasion of Tbilisi

On 25 February 1921, the Bolshevist Russian 11th Red Army invaded Tbilisi, leading to the declaration of Soviet rule after bitter fighting.

1921: Soviet Occupation of Tbilisi

In 1921, the Democratic Republic of Georgia was occupied by the Soviet Bolshevik forces from Russia, and Tbilisi became the capital city of the Transcaucasian SFSR.

August 1936: Official Renaming of Tbilisi

On 17 August 1936, the official Russian names of various cities were changed to match the local language more closely. The Georgian-language form Ṭpilisi was modernized to თბილი (tbili), leading to the new official Russian name Tbilisi.

1936: Renaming of Tbilisi

In 1936, the pre-1936 name Tiflis was changed to Tbilisi in some languages.

1936: Tbilisi as Capital of Georgian SSR

Until 1936, Tbilisi functioned as the capital city of the Transcaucasian SFSR. Afterward, it served as the capital of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.

1936: Name change from Tiflis to Tbilisi

Until 1936, the city's name in English and most other languages was Tiflis, following the Persian pronunciation, while the Georgian name was Ṭpilisi.

1938: Stalinist architecture

In 1938, Stalinist architecture, such as the Marx-Engels-Lenin Institute building (now the Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi), also left a mark on the city's landscape.

1956: Mass Anti-Russian Demonstrations

In 1956, Tbilisi witnessed mass anti-Russian demonstrations during the 9 March Massacre, in protest against Nikita Khrushchev's anti-Stalin policies.

1962: Dinamo Tbilisi wins EuroLeague title

In 1962, the basketball club Dinamo Tbilisi won the EuroLeague title.

1966: Opening of Tbilisi Metro

In 1966, the Tbilisi Metro opened, becoming the fourth metro system in the former Soviet Union.

1975: Ministry of Roads building

Notable Soviet-era landmarks include the 1975 Ministry of Roads building.

1978: Sports facilities in Tbilisi

By 1978, Tbilisi had around 250 sports facilities, including four indoor and six outdoor Olympic-sized pools, 185 basketball courts, 192 volleyball facilities, 82 handball arenas, 19 tennis courts, 31 football fields, and five stadiums.

1978: Peaceful Protests

Peaceful protests occurred in Tbilisi in 1978.

1980: First State-Sanctioned Rock Festival

In 1980, Tbilisi hosted the first state-sanctioned rock festival in the USSR.

1980: Dinamo Tbilisi wins European Cup Winners' Cup

In 1980, Tbilisi's signature football club, Dinamo Tbilisi, won the 1980–81 European Cup Winners' Cup.

1984: Wedding Palace

Notable Soviet-era landmarks include the 1984 Wedding Palace.

1989: April 9 Tragedy

In 1989, the April 9 tragedy in Tbilisi was a peaceful protest that turned violent.

1990: Tbilisi aerial tramway accident

The Soviet-era tram between Rustaveli Avenue and Mtatsminda was dismantled after the tragic 1990 Tbilisi aerial tramway accident.

December 1991: Civil War in Tbilisi

From December 1991 to January 1992, Tbilisi endured a brief civil war.

1991: End of Soviet Rule

Until 1991, Tbilisi served as the capital of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.

January 1992: Civil War in Tbilisi

From December 1991 to January 1992, Tbilisi endured a brief civil war when pro-Gamsakhurdia and Opposition forces clashed.

1995: Constitution of Georgia

In 1995, the status of Tbilisi as the nation's capital, is defined by Article 10 of the Constitution of Georgia.

February 1998: Law on Georgia's Capital

On 20 February 1998, the status of Tbilisi, as the nation's capital, is defined by the Law on Georgia's Capital – Tbilisi.

2000: Tbilisi International Film Festival

In 2000, the Tbilisi International Film Festival (TIFF) began as part of a larger "Gift" festival, organized annually by the Cinema Art Center Prometheus.

2002: Tbilisi International Film Festival becomes an independent event

In 2002, the Tbilisi International Film Festival (TIFF) became an independent event.

November 2003: Rose Revolution

In November 2003, mass protests took place in Tbilisi after falsified parliamentary elections, leading to the Rose Revolution.

2006: Dismantling of electric tram network

In 2006, Tbilisi's electric tram network, which was in operation since 1904, was dismantled.

2008: Russian Air Attacks during South Ossetia War

During the 2008 South Ossetia war, the Tbilisi area was hit by multiple Russian air attacks.

2012: Restoration of the Tbilisi Funicular

In 2012, the Tbilisi Funicular was restored, connecting Chonkadze Street to Mtatsminda Park.

June 2015: Deadly Flood in Tbilisi

In June 2015, a flood in Tbilisi killed at least twenty people and caused animals from the city's zoo to be released into the streets.

2017: Introduction of new buses

Since 2017, new environmentally friendly buses — including MAN Lion’s City CNG and ISUZU models — have replaced the ageing fleet in Tbilisi.

2019: Increase in International Visitors

In 2019, Georgia welcomed over 9 million international visitors, significantly boosting Tbilisi’s hospitality and service sectors.

2019: Introduction of modern minibuses

In 2019, a new tender in Tbilisi introduced modern minibuses with stricter safety and comfort standards.

2019: Changes in Tbilisi's television market

Since 2019, Tbilisi's television market has undergone notable changes, particularly following ownership changes at Rustavi 2, which led to the creation of new television channels like Mtavari Arkhi and TV Formula.

Loading Video...

2020: Reorganisation of Tbilisi’s bus network

A major reorganisation of Tbilisi’s bus network launched in 2020 introduced Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors (TBT lines 300–310) served by articulated 18-metre-long buses, alongside more than 200 other city and local routes.