Giant Plane Tree, Telavi

Every city has its own signature landmark, and for Telavi, it’s a living one. Right in the heart of the city, just across from the Batonis Tsikhe Fortress, grows a truly monumental tree: the Giant Plane Tree—widely believed to be the oldest tree in all of Georgia.

Estimates of its age vary, but most place it somewhere between 700 and 900 years old. Towering at 46 meters with a trunk measuring 3.6 meters in diameter, this tree is nothing short of a natural marvel. Known in Georgian as ჭადარი (chadari) and often referred to in literature as a “chinar,” plane trees can grow to colossal sizes. In Turkey and Armenia, there are specimens that are over 2,000 years old. One can only hope that the Telavi plane tree is still in the early chapters of its long story, destined to join the ranks of these ancient giants.

Nine centuries may not seem like much in the vast span of time, yet this tree stands as the oldest surviving landmark in Telavi. For perspective, the Batonis Tsikhe fortress was constructed in the 17th–18th centuries, and the famed Gremi Castle nearby is just 500 years old. Imagine—this tree has borne witness to generations of Georgian kings. Perhaps a young King Erekle II once played in its shade, or Queen Tamar, the great ruler of Georgia, once sat beneath its branches weaving her braids.

When in Telavi, don’t miss the chance to embrace the plane tree—literally. It’s said to take a dozen people, hand in hand, to wrap around its massive trunk. The tree is alive, warm to the touch, and full of ancient secrets. And who knows? If you’re lucky, it might whisper a few of them to you. According to local legend, if a group of people forms a human chain around the tree and makes the same wish, their dream is destined to come true.

A few years ago, the tree began to show signs of decay, prompting concern from locals and officials alike. Specialists from Germany were brought to Kakheti, and thanks to their care and expertise, the venerable old tree was revived, flourishing once again like a wise elder telling stories through rustling leaves.

Just steps away from the ancient tree and nestled beside the road is a whimsical surprise—an extraordinary street art installation known as the Mechanical Snail. Or rather, an entire snail family, complete with parents and adorable little hatchlings.

This imaginative sculpture invites you to linger and look closely, discovering the many everyday objects that bring it to life. The snails are crafted from an eclectic array of items: bicycle parts, a river stove, kettles, weights, a samovar, faucets, locks, jugs, a moonshine still, a shovel, a hand planer, door hinges, springs, chains, keys, and a treasure trove of other household relics.

Despite their industrial makeup, the snails exude an unexpected grace and delicacy. The largest snail, in particular, becomes a glowing sculpture after dark, softly lit to enchant passersby and stir the imagination.

This blend of the ancient and the artistic—the thousand-year-old plane tree and the modern mechanical snails—creates a unique harmony in Telavi, where the old and the new coexist with charm, creativity, and a touch of magic.