On the road to Tbilisi, a recommended stop is the impressive monument known as the Friendship Arch of Peoples. Erected in 1983 to commemorate the bicentennial of the signing of the Treaty of Georgievsk, this striking structure crowns the majestic Cross Pass in the Caucasus Mountains. Designed by renowned sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, the arch doubles as a panoramic viewing platform, offering sweeping vistas over the alpine resort town of Gudauri and the surrounding mountain ranges.
The arch was conceived as part of a sculptural triptych dedicated to the theme of unity between nations. Its twin—the second element of the triptych—stands in Moscow, on Tishinskaya Square. The two monuments were intended to symbolically connect the people of Russia and Georgia, reflecting the spirit of solidarity that permeated Soviet-era public art. The third component of the triptych once stood at the entrance to Tbilisi, but it was destroyed in the early 1990s for political reasons, during a turbulent time of shifting ideologies and national reawakening.
The Friendship Arch in Georgia is adorned with a large, vivid mosaic mural—a hallmark of late Soviet aesthetics. Its vibrant imagery weaves together scenes from Georgian and Russian history, celebrating shared heritage and cultural kinship. Meanwhile, the corresponding monument in Moscow conveys its message through a different medium: the words “Labor,” “Peace,” “Unity,” and “Brotherhood” are interlaced in both Georgian script and Cyrillic, forming an emblem of mutual respect and cooperation.
Travelers journeying between Russia and Georgia can easily spot the arch along the Georgian Military Highway, where it stands as a silent sentinel overlooking the valleys below. The area surrounding the monument has evolved into a small marketplace, where local vendors offer traditional wool hats, handwoven textiles, and other regional souvenirs—making it not only a cultural landmark but also a lively stop for those wishing to take home a piece of Georgian craftsmanship.
From the edge of the viewing platform, the views are nothing short of breathtaking. Snow-draped peaks stretch into the horizon, dramatic gorges carve through the highlands, and the vastness of the Caucasus seems to unfold endlessly beneath your feet. Photographers and nature lovers alike will find the spot ideal for capturing the sublime beauty of the mountains, while history enthusiasts will appreciate the layers of meaning etched into the monument’s very stone.
