Open Air Museum of Ethnography

Open Air Museum of Ethnography

The Open Air Museum was founded on April 27, 1966 by the famous Georgian ethnographer Giorgi Chitaia.

It is located in Tbilisi's Vake district, to the west of "Turtle Lake". It occupies 52 hectares of land and houses more than eight thousand artifacts brought from all over Georgia.

The Open Air Museum encompasses 14 ethnographic zones: Kartli, Samegrelo, Adjara, Abkhazia, Svaneti, Khevsureti, Kakheti, Meskheti, Javakheti, Guria, Imereti, Racha, Lechkhumi and Ossetia.

Each exhibit presents a certain historic-ethnographic area of Georgia. Together with architectural monuments, the museum presents ethnographic materials - different kinds of tools, textiles, and ceramics. The museum also includes the 5th-6th century basilica of Sioni, as well as a rich collection of grave stones in relief.

Visitors can explore on their own, or enjoy guided tours around the museum. The museum provides a tranquil environment for visitors to experience Georgian folk exhibitions and festivals throughout the year, and has a quaint Georgian restaurant where you can enjoy the breathtaking view of Tbilisi.