Betlemi (Bethlehem) Church and Betlemi Street

Betlemi Church and Betlemi Street lie on the steep slope of Old Tbilisi, Georgia, below the Mother of Georgia statue and the Narikala ridge. The church is dedicated to the Nativity, taking its name from Bethlehem, and is a small Georgian Orthodox building set into a narrow, sloping lane. The street is a stepped route lined with traditional Tbilisi houses, characterised by carved wooden balconies, brick and stone facades and courtyards. Much of the surrounding architecture dates from the 18th and 19th centuries, when the city's artisans and merchants lived in tightly packed neighbourhoods. The street is also known for a long staircase that connects the lower Old Town with the upper slope. The church interior is small, with icons and candles, and it functions as a parish church. Betlemi Street is a lived-in quarter rather than a museum, so houses, small cafes and shops sit side by side with older structures that are in different states of repair. The area has been targeted by renovation efforts in recent years, and some facades and balconies have been restored, while others remain in need of work. For visitors, the street offers an atmospheric walk between Narikala, the sulphur baths and Sololaki, and it provides views over the roofs of the Old Town. It is a short walk from the Abanotubani district and the cable car. Visitors should be prepared for steps and uneven stone, and should respect residents' privacy while photographing. Church visits require modest dress. Entrance to both the church and the street is free.