14/10/2026
On a hill overlooking Tbilisi, Georgia, stands one of the most unusual monuments in the world: a massive stone structure known as the Chronicles of Georgia.
Created by Georgian-Russian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, the monument consists of 16 enormous pillars, some reaching approximately 35 meters in height.
Construction began in 1985, during the Soviet era, but the monument remained unfinished for decades.
Its towering columns are covered with intricate sculptures depicting important figures and events from Georgia’s history, including kings, queens, religious leaders, and scenes from Christianity.
The upper sections primarily portray Georgian rulers and historical figures, while the lower sections feature biblical stories and scenes from the life of Jesus Christ.
Georgia has one of the world’s oldest Christian traditions. Christianity became the state religion of the ancient Kingdom of Iberia, located in present-day eastern Georgia, during the fourth century.
The monument reflects this close relationship between Georgian national identity, religion, and history.
Its architectural design is particularly striking because the massive pillars resemble structures from an ancient civilization, although the monument itself is relatively modern.
The Chronicles of Georgia stands near the Tbilisi Sea, an artificial reservoir created in the 1950s that supplies water to parts of the Georgian capital.
From the monument, visitors can see the reservoir, surrounding hills, and sections of the city.
Despite its enormous scale, the site remains less internationally famous than many of Georgia’s medieval churches and historic landmarks.
The monument is sometimes called the Georgian Stonehenge because of its arrangement of towering stone columns, although it has no historical connection to the prehistoric monument in England.
Source: Georgian National Tourism Administration; historical records of Zurab Tsereteli’s works.
