Freedom Square
Freedom Square is one of the main landmarks of the city with a rich history. The square has undergone several name changes and served different purposes throughout its history. Pay a visit to experience it yourself.
Historical Background
Previously, the area where the square is now located was an empty space near the Kajori Gates, which is currently Koté Abkhazi Street. Nearby, there was the Sololaki ravine, and the Avaant-Khevi River flowed near it, which flowed into the Kura River. The waterways ran along the present-day Baratashvili and Pushkin streets.
In the 19th century, the square had different names - Drovyanaya (wood trade was conducted here), Shtabnaya (the first stone structure was built here and served as the headquarters of the Caucasian Corps).
In the mid-19th century, the place was named Paskievich-Erivan Square in memory of General Paskievich, who commanded the Russian forces during the capture of the fortress of Erivan. The famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin also lived here. In memory of this, there is a park and a street nearby named after Pushkin.
Throughout the 20th century, the square underwent several name changes - it was called "Svobodnaya" (Freedom Square), "Zakfederatsii" (Federation Square), "Beria" (named after Lavrentiy Beria), and "Lenina" (Lenin Square). By the way, for a long time, an eighteen-meter monument of Lenin stood in the center of the square. Since 1990, the square has been known as "Freedom Square."
Since 2006, the square has been adorned with a statue of St. George slaying the dragon. It is believed that this saint protects Georgia.
