Queen Darejan's palace, Royal palace in Old Tbilisi, Georgia
Queen Darejan's palace is a stone residence in Old Tbilisi distinguished by Georgian brick patterns featuring horizontal and vertical stripes. A decorative balcony wraps around the upper tower section, creating the building's most recognizable feature.
The palace was built in 1776 for Queen Darejan, wife of King Erekle II, and incorporated two churches into its design. The structure rose upon remnants of the earlier Avlabari fortress wall, linking new royal construction to older defensive foundations.
The palace bears Queen Darejan's name and shows how royal power and religious life were intertwined, visible in the two churches built within the complex. This blend reveals how closely political and spiritual authority shaped Georgian life in that era.
The palace sits in Tbilisi's historic district on Urbnis Street and is open for visits daily. Plan to explore multiple areas within the grounds, as different sections may have varying access depending on ongoing activities.
Today the site operates a hospice with charitable services and workshops where visitors can watch traditional Georgian crafts being made, including carpet weaving, felt processing, and embroidery. This working craft space gives the historic building a completely new purpose beyond its royal past.
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