Kartlis Deda, Aluminum statue on Sololaki Hill, Tbilisi, Georgia
Kartlis Deda is a 20-meter (66-foot) tall statue made of aluminum that stands on Sololaki Hill in Tbilisi. The female figure wears traditional Georgian clothing and looks out over the rooftops of the capital.
The monument was erected in 1958 to mark the 1500th anniversary of the city, and sculptor Elguja Amashukeli later received recognition for his work. The original wooden figure was covered with aluminum in 1963 and completely replaced by a new statue in 1997.
The figure holds a wine bowl in her left hand as a sign of hospitality and a sword in her right hand to protect against enemies. These symbols show the values of Georgian culture that visitors can still experience in the city today.
Walking up through the narrow streets of the neighborhood takes around 20 minutes, or you can take the cable car from Rike Park. From the top you can see the entire old town and the surrounding mountains.
The monument is illuminated at night and visible from many points around the city. The figure also serves as a reference point for visitors walking through the winding streets of the old town.
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