Leghvtakhevi

History

Leghvtakhevi was once covered with fig (“fig” translates as “leghvi” in Georgian) trees. A small mountain river - the Tsavkisistskali - flows in the territory of the gorge here, and visitors are particularly attracted to the Leghvtakhevi waterfall, right in the center of the city. During summer, as the water in the river recedes, the waterfall is calm and peaceful, while in spring it can be ferocious, and in winter it is prone to freezing.      

The first park around Leghvtakhevi was established by the Arabs in the 7th century, on the territory of what is now the Botanical Garden, where they even set up an observatory. In the 19th century, this place was officially registered as a botanical park and joined a union of other similar parks. Later on, this area came to serve the role of a reservoir, however in 2012, Leghvtakhevi underwent a makeover. Consequently, the area was cleaned, houses with balconies were renovated, bridges and vintage-style stairways were built, benches appeared, and cafes were opened. It did not take long for Leghvtakhevi to become one of the most popular places in Tbilisi. At night time, the gorge area is illuminated with various colorful lights, giving the place a marvelous appearance. 

Now, the territory between the baths and the waterfall is known as Leghvtakhevi, while the upper part of the Tsavkisistskali River Valley belongs to the Botanical Garden. To get here, municipal buses will take you fairly near.