Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi: glass, light, how to get there

The Bridge of Peace is a pedestrian bridge over the Kura in central Tbilisi and one of the city’s most recognisable modern structures. A glass-and-steel arch with LED lighting, it links the historic Old Town with Rike Park on the far bank and has long been an essential stop on a walk around the capital.

Why the bridge is famous

The Bridge of Peace opened on 6 May 2010. It is an arched structure of glass and steel around 150 metres long: a transparent canopy covers it from above, while the pedestrian deck runs over the river. The project was designed by the noted Italian architect Michele De Lucchi, and the lighting scheme was created by the French lighting designer Philippe Martinaud.

The Bridge of Peace over the Kura River in central Tbilisi — The glass-and-steel arch of the Bridge of Peace over the Kura in central Tbilisi. Photo: falco / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

The bridge joins the two banks of the Kura - the Old Town embankment and Rike Park on the left bank. LED lighting is built into the railings and the canopy, so after dark the bridge glows beautifully. Its modern glass form in the very heart of the historic centre stirred up controversy in its time, but the bridge has since become one of the symbols of a renewed Tbilisi.

The glass-and-steel canopy of the Bridge of Peace from inside — The transparent glass-and-steel canopy, under which the pedestrian deck runs. Photo: falco / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

What to see nearby

The bridge is a handy point from which to take in several places in the centre at once. From it there are views over the tiled roofs of the Old Town and the Narikala fortress on its hill, and on the left bank begins Rike Park with its lawns and views. From here, too, runs the cable car up to Narikala, and along the river it’s an easy walk to the sulphur baths.

The Bridge of Peace and a cable car cabin to Narikala over the Kura River. Photo: BBCLCD / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

What to keep in mind

The bridge is open and freely accessible at any time. By day it’s simply a handy crossing with views, and in the evening it’s a sight in itself with its lighting; the best shots come at dusk and after sunset. Bear in mind that this is a popular spot and the bridge can get crowded in high season.

The floodlit Bridge of Peace over the Kura in the evening in Tbilisi — In the evening the built-in lighting turns the bridge into a sight in its own right. Photo: ako-aleko / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Nearby

From the bridge it’s an easy walk to the Abanotubani sulphur baths and up to the Narikala fortress above the Old Town. For more on the capital, see the Tbilisi guide; more places across the country are gathered in the things to see section.