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Gabriadze Theater

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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The Gabriadze Theater is a characterful puppet theater in the heart of Old Tbilisi, celebrated as a beacon of artistic creativity and whimsical architecture. Founded in 1981 by the renowned painter, sculptor, and screenwriter Rezo Gabriadze, the theater quickly became a cultural landmark. Its most iconic feature is the leaning clock tower added in 2010, which appears as if it were plucked from a fairy tale, constructed from a seemingly haphazard collection of bricks and decorative tiles. Every hour, a mechanical angel emerges from a door at the top to strike a bell with a hammer, while at noon and 7:00 PM, a small automated performance titled 'The Circle of Life' depicts the journey of a human couple. The theater itself is remarkably intimate, with only 80 seats, providing a unique setting for philosophical and poignant puppet plays written and directed by Gabriadze. The artist personally designed every puppet and stage set, infusing the entire venue with his unique vision and soulful storytelling. On the tower's facade, a tiny golden inscription reads: 'May our tears only be shed over beauty,' reflecting the poetic spirit of this extraordinary place.

Location: Georgia
Top sights: Giorgi Leonidze State Museum of Literature · Georgian Museum of Fine Arts · Museum of the Soviet Occupation
Nearby: Mtskheta (15 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	1	3	7	12	18	23	26	26	20	14	7	2
Rain mm	18	17	28	49	58	49	27	27	25	38	25	17

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

Gabriadze Theater is a working marionette theater in Tbilisi's old town. The exterior façade and the leaning clock tower with its angel are freely accessible, while performances require a ticket.

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Typical hours

The clock tower is visible from the outside around the clock. Performances typically take place in the evening, with exact schedules varying; check the program in advance to plan your visit.

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Photography

Photography of the exterior façade and the tower is allowed at any time. During performances, photography is generally not permitted to avoid disturbing the artists on stage.

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Time needed

Spending about 15-30 minutes is enough to admire the exterior and tower. A full performance typically lasts between one and two hours, including an intermission.

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Combine with

The theater lies in Tbilisi's old town, just a short walk from Sioni Cathedral and the sulphur baths. The ancient Narikala Fortress is also easily reachable on foot from there.

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Getting there

Gabriadze Theater is centrally located in the old town and best reached on foot. From Liberty Square it's about a ten‑minute walk through narrow, winding streets.

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Insider tip

Book tickets for a performance well in advance, as they often sell out quickly. Arrive a little early to see the angel at the tower make its hourly appearance - a truly magical moment!

Geography

Coordinates

41.69580, 44.80670

Facts

The puppet theater was established in 1981 by artist Rezo Gabriadze.
The iconic leaning clock tower was added to the complex in 2010.
A mechanical angel emerges to strike a bell at the top of every hour.
A small puppet show called 'The Circle of Life' plays twice daily.
The theater has a very limited seating capacity of only 80 people.
The tower is decorated with hundreds of unique, hand-painted tiles.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Bridge of Peace<1 km · NWExplore →

Mtatsminda Park2 km · SExplore →

📍Tbilisi3 km · SEExplore →

Vake Park6 km · SExplore →

Chronicle of Georgia7 km · SEExplore →

Jvari Monastery14 km · SEExplore →

Lilo City Market15 km · NExplore →

📍Mtskheta15 km · SEExplore →

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Sights in the town Gabriadze Theater (17)

Giorgi Leonidze State Museum of Literature 🏛 museum

This museum preserves valuable manuscripts and archives from the history of Georgian literature.

Georgian Museum of Fine Arts 🏛 museum

A modern museum on Rustaveli Avenue housing an extensive collection of contemporary Georgian art.

🌐 finearts.ge🕒 Tu-Su 10:00-19:00💶

Museum of the Soviet Occupation 🏛 museum

This museum documents the seven decades of Soviet rule in Georgia.

🌐 museum.ge🕒 Tu-Su 10:00-20:00💶

Tbilisi Youth and Children's Palace 🏰 castle

This 1818 neoclassical palace once served as the residence of the Imperial Viceroy of the Caucasus.

Freedom Monument 🏺 historical

This granite pillar, erected in 2006, features a gilded statue of Saint George slaying the dragon.

Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater 🎭 culture

This marionette theater is famous for its whimsical leaning clock tower where a puppet angel appears hourly.

🌐 gabriadze.com

Rustaveli National Theatre 🎭 culture

This grand Beaux-Arts building on Rustaveli Avenue serves as Georgia's national theatre.

🌐 rustavelitheatre.ge

St. Peter and St. Paul's Church ⛪ religious

A Roman Catholic church in the Chughureti district, built in the 19th century in neo-Gothic style.

🌐 stspeterpaultbilisi.com

Evangelical Lutheran Reconciliation Church ⛪ religious

This Lutheran church was rebuilt in the late 1990s on the site of a former German place of worship.

🌐 elkg.info

St. Nino Church ⛪ religious

A Georgian Orthodox church in the Chughureti district dedicated to Saint Nino, the enlightener of Georgia.

Alexander Griboedov State Theatre 🎭 culture

Named after the playwright Griboyedov, this is the oldest Russian-language theatre in the Caucasus.

🌐 griboedovtheatre.ge

Dry Bridge 📍 landmark

Built in 1851, this bridge is famous for its daily flea market selling antiques and local art.

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Guram Dochanashvili Bridge 📍 landmark

Spanning the Kura River, this bridge connects the Chughureti district with the city center.

Nikoloz Baratashvili Bridge 📍 landmark

This modern bridge is known for its lifelike bronze statues depicting people in various everyday poses.

Pushkin Park 🌳 park

A small park near Freedom Square featuring a bust of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin.

9th of March Park 🌳 park

A well-kept urban park near the Dry Bridge, providing a quiet retreat in the city center.

Giorgi Leonidze Park 🌳 park

This is the oldest public park in the city, now named after the Georgian poet Giorgi Leonidze.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

When does the clock strike in the tower?

An angel appears every hour; at 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM, there is a small puppet performance.

What is Gabriadze Theater?

It is a world-famous puppet theater with very distinctive architecture.

Do tickets for shows need to be bought long in advance?

Yes, tickets are often sold out weeks in advance.

Is there a cafe there?

Yes, the adjacent Café Gabriadze is famous for its artistic decoration.

Where is the theater located?

On Shavteli Street in Tbilisi's Old Town, near the Anchiskhati Basilica.

Gabriadze Theater: where is it located?

Gabriadze Theater is located in Georgia.

Gabriadze Theater: what is there to see?

Highlights include Giorgi Leonidze State Museum of Literature, Georgian Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of the Soviet Occupation.

Gabriadze Theater: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.

Gabriadze Theater: why is it worth visiting?

The Gabriadze Theater is a characterful puppet theater in the heart of Old Tbilisi, celebrated as a beacon of artistic creativity and whimsical architecture.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →

Gabriadze Theater

Best time to visit & climate