Situated on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, the Parliament of Georgia embodies the apex of Georgia's representative body, exercising legislative power and shaping both domestic and foreign policies. The Parliament Building, originally the Government House of the former Georgian SSR, is a significant illustration of Georgian architecture from the Soviet era.
Consisting of two edifices, the upper one erected in 1938 and the second along Rustaveli Avenue in 1953, the Parliament Building skillfully incorporates motifs of traditional Georgian architecture. From individual sections to the decor and facing material – golden tuff, each aspect represents the essence of Georgian architectural aesthetics. These two buildings are connected by an internal courtyard-vestibule, complete with stairs and fountains that gracefully blend with the surroundings.
Prior to its current incarnation, the site was home to the Alexander Nevsky Military Church, built to honor Tsarist Russia's conquest of the Caucasus in 1865-1866. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the church was demolished and the construction of the Government House started in 1938. The building process, led by architects Kokorin, Lezhava, and Nasaridze, continued until 1965.
Besides being the seat of the legislative power, the Parliament Building has also witnessed significant historical events. The somber incident of April 9, 1989, when the Soviet Army attacked a peaceful demonstration advocating Georgian independence, took place in front of this building. A memorial now stands there, honoring those who lost their lives that day.
The Parliament of Georgia, with its imposing scale and grandeur, is not merely a governmental structure. It serves as a stark reminder of the nation's struggle for independence and continues to play an instrumental role in shaping Georgia's future.
