The Most Beautiful Historic Entrance Halls in Tbilisi

Tbilisi’s historic paradnaya—ornate entrance halls and stairwells found in 19th and early-20th-century residential buildings—are a remarkable part of the city’s architectural heritage. In the past, these decorated spaces were meant to showcase a family’s taste and social status, featuring hand-painted walls, stained glass, carved wood, and intricate tilework. Today, many of these interiors are fading or disappearing due to modern renovations and neglect, making the surviving examples rare and deeply valuable.

Researcher and guide to Georgia’s forgotten architecture, Lyudmila Mila, has compiled a list of some of the most beautiful entrance halls still accessible in Tbilisi. Below is a curated selection of these hidden architectural gems.

“Your navigator through Tbilisi’s historic entrance halls. I should note that many of them are locked, so visiting often depends on luck,” she warns.

Former Hotel London — pre-restoration photo, Atoneli Street 31

House of the Adamov Brothers, Entrance Halls I & II — Aghmashenebeli Avenue 111

House of Prince Gabashvili — Rustaveli Avenue 52

House of Merchant Vartanov — Dadiani Street 18

House of Winemaker Ananov — Griboedov Street 15

House of Court Officer David Kvirkelia — Abakelia Street 5

House of Erast Chavchanidze — Aghmashenebeli Avenue 36

Stained-Glass House — Betlemi Street 3

House on Chitaia Street — Chitaia Street 20

House of Merchant Jaghetyan — at the corner of Nadiradze and Tsnamdzghvrishvili Streets

House of Merchant Kalantarov — Machabeli Street 17

Anna Madatova’s Mansion — Chonkadze Street 4

House of Merchant Abazov — Aghmashenebeli Avenue 93