David Agmashenebeli Avenue, Tbilisi

David Agmashenebeli Avenue weaves through the historic Chugureti district, spanning approximately two kilometers from Saarbrücken Square to Marjanishvili Square. This avenue-named in 2010 after the revered Georgian king David IV “the Builder”-was previously known as Mikheil Street during the Russian imperial era and later as Plekhanov Street in the Soviet period.

The avenue’s commanding presence is owed to its 19th-century architecture, crafted largely under the influence of German builders like Friedrich Vezel and others active in Tbilisi in the 1880s. Its façades present a rich tapestry of European classicism with Georgian flair-think carved wooden balconies, ornate gates, stained-glass windows, and elegant balconies that whisper stories from another era.

In the early 21st century, the avenue underwent a significant restoration, breathing new life into its seventy historic buildings, streetscape, sidewalks, and lighting-balancing preservation with modern pedestrian-friendly design. Today, its ground floors buzz with boutique shops, cozy cafés serving international and Georgian fare, and cultural hotspots.

Meanwhile, the upper floors reflect layers of local history, including residences like the 1903 home of merchant Erasti Chavchanidze. More than just a scenic stroll, the avenue is a conduit of artistic and historical landmarks-from theaters and the Museum of Modern Art to the evocative courtyards that embody the city’s communal spirit.