Freedom Square and Freedom Monument (Tavisuplebis Moedani)

Freedom Square is the central plaza of Tbilisi, Georgia, at the head of Rustaveli Avenue and beside the City Hall. The square has carried several names over time, reflecting political changes: in the 19th century it was a Russian Imperial parade and administrative space, and in the Soviet era it held a large statue of Lenin. After independence in 1991, the Lenin monument was removed. In 2006 the Freedom Monument was unveiled in its place, a gilded statue of St George slaying a dragon on a tall column, designed by the sculptor Zurab Tsereteli. The monument stands about 35 metres high and symbolises the victory of freedom over oppression, with St George being the patron saint of Georgia. The statue is made of bronze with gold plating and is a prominent point on the skyline. Around the square are historic buildings, including the former City Hall, and several cafes and banks. It has been the site of mass rallies, including the demonstrations of the late 1980s and the 2003 Rose Revolution, which led to the resignation of President Eduard Shevardnadze. The square also connects to the metro, with Freedom Square station beneath it, and acts as a transport hub for the Old Town, Sololaki and Rustaveli Avenue. There is no museum or entrance fee; the experience is of the open public space and its monument. The square has been repaved and refurbished in recent decades. Visitors often use it as a starting point for walking tours of the city and as a meeting point.