Vera Park and the Blue Monastery (Lurdji Monastery)
Why is it significant?
Enter the tranquil green paradise of Vera Park, historically known as the Alexander Park of Vera. Laid out in the late nineteenth century along the verdant banks of the Vere River, this picturesque urban woodland features century-old oaks, weeping willows, and winding shaded walking paths.
Key Facts
| Place | Vera Park and the Blue Monastery (Lurdji Monastery) |
|---|---|
| Address | Kostava Street, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Geo Coordinates | 41.70880, 44.78750 |
| Part of Walk | Rustaveli Avenue: Imperial Tiflis, Kashveti Church, and the Opera |
| Generated | Generated |
Enter the tranquil green paradise of Vera Park, historically known as the Alexander Park of Vera. Laid out in the late nineteenth century along the verdant banks of the Vere River, this picturesque urban woodland features century-old oaks, weeping willows, and winding shaded walking paths. Nestled in the southern corner of the park stands the venerated Blue Monastery, or Lurdji Monasteri, dedicated to Saint Andrew the First-Called, an ecclesiastical jewel that dates back to the twelfth-century golden age of Queen Tamar.
Examine the stone exterior of the church, named the Blue Monastery because of its historic roof of glazed turquoise and sapphire ceramic tiles that once shone across the valley. Look above the southern entrance portal to admire the ancient stone inscription carved in Old Georgian asomtavruli script. The inscription records that the basilica was founded in the 1180s by Archbishop John of Kartli during the glorious joint reign of King George III and his daughter, Queen Tamar.
During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the monastery suffered severe damage during Persian invasions, its vaulted roofs collapsing under artillery fire. In 1873, the church was comprehensively restored under the direction of architect Leopold Bielfeld, who added a distinctive Russian-style hipped roof that sparked considerable architectural debate. In the 1990s, Georgian conservators carefully restored the traditional Georgian conical stone dome, returning the ancient sanctuary to its authentic medieval silhouette.
The peaceful courtyard surrounding the church is filled with singing birds, shaded stone benches, and the fragrant aroma of blossoming boxwoods. Elderly chess players gather beneath the nearby park pavilions, while children play among the leafy lawns, creating an idyllic scene of generational warmth. The Blue Monastery stands as a serene island of twelfth-century spiritual grace in the heart of modern Tbilisi.
Follow the shaded avenue northward to reach the landmark Tbilisi Concert Hall on Kostava Avenue.