The Bolnisi Museum, formally known as the Bolnisi Museum of History and Archaeology, is the newest museum in the country as of 2021, it has quickly garnered a reputation as the most informative and engaging museum in provincial Georgia. This museum is the largest attraction in the Bolnisi district and serves as the primary museum for the Kvemo Kartli region.
The origins of the museum date back to 1951, a time when archaeological excavations were flourishing throughout Georgia. Initially, the museum occupied a small blue house in the city center, showcasing its collection across two floors. Admission was a mere 1 lari, even when many other museums charged 3 lari.
From around 2011 to 2016, the museum retained its dusty Soviet-era charm, adorned with black-and-white photographs from the 1950s. Rumors circulated about a new building on the horizon, and in May 2020—amid the global pandemic—this vision became a reality. The museum relocated to a new facility on the outskirts of Bolnisi, unveiling fresh exhibits and a modern design, transforming it from a quaint provincial museum into one of the finest museums in Georgia. It is now part of the National Museum of Georgia.
The Bolnisi Museum has a strong emphasis on archaeology, making it an ideal destination for those with a keen interest in this field. The largest portion of the exhibit is dedicated to the Shulaveri-Shomu culture, a significant aspect of the region’s history. Unlike many provincial museums that may offer a single standout exhibit, Bolnisi Museum captivates visitors with a wealth of valuable artifacts. It is not only the sole museum dedicated to the Shulaveri-Shomu culture but also one of the few globally that directly relates to the Neolithic Revolution.
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The museum features a single floor with three small halls and a larger one for the permanent exhibition, alongside an additional space for temporary displays.
First Hall: This narrow, elongated room introduces visitors to the Dmanisi hominids and provides insight into Georgia’s geological history.
Second Hall: Accessible via a cleverly designed semicircular passage, this hall marks the beginning of the main exhibition on the Shulaveri-Shomu culture. This culture represents the first settlers who arrived in the uninhabited South Caucasus following the Mesolithic cooling period, bringing with them the knowledge of agriculture around 6000 BC. Their arrival heralded the onset of the Neolithic Revolution. In the passage, a display showcases artifacts from the early farmers of the South Caucasus, including a sickle with detachable blades.
Archaeological sites from this era have been discovered in the Bolnisi district, as well as in the neighboring Marneuli district, such as the Gadachrili Gora settlement. The inhabitants of these settlements constructed round houses reminiscent of yurts, built from bricks—some of which are on display and date back 8,000 years. These ancient bricks bear a striking resemblance to modern ones. While articles often tout the 8,000-year history of Georgian wine, few acknowledge that Georgian bricks share the same remarkable legacy. Indeed, bricks are one of humanity’s greatest inventions, remaining fundamentally unchanged for millennia.
The sizable pieces of obsidian displayed are known in scientific terms as “nuclei,” from which thin flakes were struck off. The museum deserves special recognition for presenting not just five or six pieces, as is common in other institutions, but a multitude of examples. It is noteworthy that there is no local source of obsidian in the Bolnisi district; it was brought in from the Javakheti Highlands, making it a form of import.
Third Hall: This section is dedicated to the medieval period, often regarded as the darkest chapter in Kvemo Kartli’s history, about which little is known. Consequently, the exhibition here is limited but beautifully curated. A striking centerpiece is a 13th-century altar screen from Sakdrishevi, a typical example of altar partitions from that era.
Fourth Hall: This final hall focuses on the German community in Bolnisi. It features a large map detailing the migration routes of Germans to Georgia, along with a modest collection of artifacts, books, and an old map of Katerinenfeld. While the display may be understated, it is presented with elegance.
Address: 48a, David Agmashenebeli Str., Bolnisi
Working hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 a.m. till 06:00 p.m.
Closed: on Monday
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