Cultural heritage

  What is the general situation with the cultural heritage?


The development of the attitude towards the protection of historical heritage was a long time process, which continues even today.

In feudal times (V - XIX centuries) Tbilisi was developing slowly. Only in the 13th century some suburbs developed around the city wall, until then there were just districts inside the city wall. The concept of historical heritage was not identified in the social life of that time.

Capitalist era (XIX - XX centuries are connected with "joining" Russia) gave Tbilisi strong impulse of development. The city occupies the high terrace of the right bank and low-lying area of the left bank of the Mtkvari river. In the old feudal part of the new constructions appear spontaneously, here and there. The concept of monument comes in social life, which, in the first place, is connected with religious worship - churches and monasteries. The feudal part of Tbilisi was saved due to its linear development and today it is very valuable for the city both from the point of view of history and culture.

Soviet period transferred the old part of Tbilisi into the "polygon" of "socialistic reconstruction". This made not only separate monuments fall a victim, but also very important elements of the city planning structure.

Liberalization of the social life of 60s contributed to the protection of historical sites. In 70s Tbilisi was a distinguished city among other cities of the Soviet Union: a new architectural and restoration school was started. A large scale program of the restoration and regeneration of Tbilisi started stages of which is represented by the yearly celebration of "Tbilisoba".

The leading organization in the implementation of these activities is the Main Department of Monumental Protection (since 1978 with management functions), It could organize the stimulation of the direct participation of the population in the restoration activities, e.g. the restoration works of Narikala Castle, etc.

In 1975 most part of the old city came under the area of protection where the particular regime of construction was introduced. In 1985 by the initiative of the Main Department of Monumental Protection and Scientific Society the Government issued a Decree on the Measures for Further Improvement of the State Protection of the Historical Part of Tbilisi. This Decree was also consolidated by other normative acts. Three areas of particular fields that were to be observed were:

- Protection of the Historical part;
- Regulation of Construction;
- Protection of the landscape.

This approach at least partly carried out its purpose - the urban heritage of the city was saved from the attacks of typical soviet type constructions which did not fit into the environment.

Today, actually, historical heritage is not protected and regulated (controlled) by the government. Historic zone of Tbilisi is the most catastrophic state at present: buildings in the old districts of the city are undergoing day by day degradation by underground waters, due to obsolete communications and some other processes. This trend is largely "supported" by the construction of private living houses which often by their size and character do not correspond to the historical district of the city.

This trend may continue but not for a very long time since the population of the city and particularly its professional part (architects, urbanists, etc.) are very much concerned about the existing situation.

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