Exploring Tbilisi

The Envoy Hostel is adjacent to the old city which made it really handy for walking around. I took in the synagogue and various churches from the outside; the requirements here for entering churches differ from that in Armenia.

Here, men are required to wear long trousers. Women are required to cover their head and wear skirts and not trousers. Funny, that women can wear miniskirts but not trousers when men can’t wear shorts.

Also, Georgian churches are rich decorated with frescoes and icons in the Orthodox tradition. It is all very ornate. In contrast, Armenian Apostolic churches are quite minimalist inside. The Georgian altar is hidden from the congregation by a wall/screen whereas the Armenian one uses a curtain.

It was very hot and I needed a rest before walking up to the Narikala Citadel, the remains of an old Arab fort which now also contains a church. There is a cablecar service but it was much easier to walk up as it was close to the hostel.