The Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi

The Bridge of Peace is a pedestrian bridge that gracefully spans the Kura River in the heart of Georgia’s capital, connecting Tbilisi’s Old Town with the modern Rike Park. Nestled between the Metekhi and Nikoloz Baratashvili bridges, this striking architectural landmark emerged as a symbolic gesture of reconciliation in the aftermath of the 2008 Georgian–Ossetian conflict. It was built at the initiative of then-President Mikheil Saakashvili, with support from the Tbilisi City Hall.

The bridge was officially inaugurated on May 6, 2010, making it the newest pedestrian bridge in the country. Its creation was entrusted to renowned Italian architect Michele De Lucchi, while the lighting design—central to its identity—was conceived by French designer Philippe Martinaud. The Bridge of Peace represents a powerful metaphor: Georgia’s journey from a turbulent past toward a brighter, unified future. Today, the structure stands not only as a passage across a river, but as an emblem of contemporary Tbilisi.

The bridge’s construction features four solid steel supports and a canopy of glass that arches elegantly overhead. Though its total width spans five meters, only two meters are allocated for pedestrian movement, giving it a sleek, streamlined appearance. The full length of the bridge extends to 156 meters, creating a gentle curve across the river that seems to float above the city.

To ease the flow of foot traffic, the bridge incorporates four auxiliary stairways that provide convenient access from different levels. Maintaining the structure is no small feat—its annual upkeep costs the city over 400,000 Georgian lari. However, its nightly transformation is what truly sets the bridge apart. As darkness falls, nearly 50,000 LED bulbs embedded in the roof and railings spring to life, bathing the walkway in luminous, animated patterns.

These lights aren’t just decorative—they flicker in a meticulously coded sequence. Using Morse code, they transmit a message encoded with chemical elements from the periodic table that are found in the human body. The philosophical core of this installation lies in the universality of those elements: regardless of nationality, faith, or appearance, we are all composed of the same matter. In this way, the Bridge of Peace earns its name—not just through symbolism, but through science.

A stroll across the bridge is often paired with explorations of nearby attractions. On the left bank of the Kura lies Rike Park and the historic Avlabari district, while the right bank is home to a wealth of cultural treasures, including the iconic Old Town, the Sioni Cathedral, the Georgian Museum of Folk Music and Musical Instruments, and many more.

The Bridge of Peace is situated in the historic core of Tbilisi, an area well-served by various modes of transportation. Despite frequent road congestion, the most efficient way to reach the site is by metro.

The closest subway stations—Liberty Square and Avlabari—are located on opposite sides of the Kura River and both belong to the red metro line (Akhmeteli–Varketili). Each station lies approximately 800 meters from the bridge, a distance that can be covered on foot in 10 to 15 minutes.

If you disembark at Liberty Square, the route to the bridge meanders through charming, narrow alleyways that lead you down to the river’s edge. From the Avlabari station, head along Vladimir Meskhishvili Street, then descend via N. Baratashvili Slope, continuing straight into Rike Park.