In the heart of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, stands the fascinating Dry Bridge, known locally as Mshrali Khidi. This iconic spot is not just a bridge: it is home to Tbilisi's most famous antiques market and a silent witness to the soul of the city. Here, past and present shake hands among history-laden objects, lively conversations and the spirit of old Tbilisi.
Located just a short walk from Rustaveli Avenue, the Tbilisi Dry Bridge is renowned for its distinctive antiques market and the unique atmosphere that draws locals and visitors alike. It is a place where memories come to life, where every object has a story to tell and where Tbilisi reconnects with its roots in the midst of a city in the throes of transformation.
History of the Tbilisi Dry Bridge
The history of the Dry Bridge dates back to the mid-19th century. Built between 1847 and 1851 under the project of Italian architect Giovanni Scudieri, this bridge originally spanned a branch of the Mtkvari River. Over time, it became the epicentre of antiques in Tbilisi and an unmissable destination for lovers of historic objects.
Initially known as the 'Small Bridge of Mikhail' and later as the 'Bridge of Nikoloz', it acquired its current name, Dry Bridge, in the 1930s, when the watercourse beneath it was drained. That change coincided with its gradual transformation into Tbilisi's most important antiques market, a process that began in the 1950s and continues to this day.
Origins and construction
In the 1830s Tbilisi was growing rapidly. There was a need to connect the emerging new neighbourhoods on the left bank of the Mtkvari (Chughureti, Kukia and the German settlement) with the city centre. Thus the bridge project was born.
Construction began in 1847 under the supervision of Viceroy Mikhail Vorontsov, with Italian Giovanni Scudieri as architect. The result was a carved-stone bridge with an imposing arch of 32 metres — one of the largest in the Russian Empire at the time — and an 11-metre-wide roadway.
From active bridge to 'Dry Bridge'
Fate had other plans for this structure. In the 1930s, as part of the urban works of the era, the branch of the Mtkvari running beneath the bridge was drained. That alteration left the bridge 'dry' and gave it its definitive name: Mshrali Khidi.
Giovanni Scudieri: the architect behind the Dry Bridge
Italian Giovanni Scudieri arrived in Georgia in the 1840s and soon became a key figure in Tbilisi's architectural development. Tragically, he died in 1851 during the construction of a church and never saw his work completed. After his passing, Norwegian engineer Otto Jacob Simonsen finished the bridge. Today, a commemorative plaque honours Scudieri's contribution.
Tbilisi's flea market: a unique market on the Dry Bridge
The metamorphosis of the Dry Bridge into an antiques market began spontaneously in the 1950s. What started with a few people selling old objects became Tbilisi's most famous flea market. Today, this open-air market is a paradise for antique hunters and offers a shopping experience unlike anything else in Georgia.
The Dry Bridge market is a kaleidoscope of history and culture. Here you will find everything from World War II medals and Soviet-era memorabilia to silver jewellery, antique crockery, vintage radios and traditional musical instruments. More than a place to shop, it is a living space where the collective memory of Tbilisi and Georgia is preserved.
What you can find at the Dry Bridge flea market
Every day, more than a hundred vendors lay out their treasures:
- World War II medals and decorations
- Soviet-era objects (flags, caps, posters)
- Handcrafted Georgian silver jewellery
- Antique porcelain and historic crockery
- Vintage radios and traditional musical instruments
- Paintings, sculptures and contemporary crafts
- Vintage ornaments, especially around the Christmas period
The market today: an immersive cultural experience
Today, the Tbilisi Dry Bridge flea market is far more than a place to buy and sell. It is an immersive cultural experience: a journey through time where every step reveals a new facet of Georgia's rich historical tapestry. The vendors, many of them experts in local history, often share fascinating anecdotes about their pieces.
The architectural setting of Georgia's most famous market
Historic buildings surrounding the Dry Bridge
The surroundings of the Dry Bridge are as fascinating as the bridge itself. At each end stand two landmark buildings: the former 'Grand-Hotel' and 'London' hotels, with their classicist elements and charming wooden and iron balconies.
The former London Hotel deserves special mention: its lobby reflects the elegance of late 19th and early 20th-century Tbilisi.
Adjacent parks and green spaces
Next to the bridge lie the Dedaena and 9 April gardens, two urban oases offering a perfect respite after exploring the market.
The Dry Bridge as a focal point of the urban landscape
Located just steps from Rustaveli Avenue, the bridge acts as a metaphorical connection between modern Tbilisi and its historical past. The short street linking the bridge with the Alexander Garden was renamed 'Italy Street' in 2006, in tribute to architect Scudieri's Italian roots.
The Dry Bridge in Tbilisi's culture: an urban icon
A meeting point for locals and tourists
More than just a market, the Tbilisi Dry Bridge has become a true cultural meeting point. Young Tbilisians discover pieces of their history here, while older residents share memories through the objects they sell or seek out.
Stories and anecdotes of the Dry Bridge
One of the most intriguing anecdotes is linked to the former London Hotel: it is said that Norwegian writer and translator Dagny Juel, muse of painter Edvard Munch, was murdered in one of its rooms. Among the vendors, stories also circulate of unexpected finds: pieces of great historical or artistic value discovered among seemingly ordinary objects.
The Dry Bridge in art and photography
Painters, photographers and writers have immortalised the vibrant, nostalgic atmosphere of the market. Its colourful scenes are a recurring theme in contemporary Georgian art, and photographs of the flea market regularly go viral on social media.
A symbol of Tbilisi's identity
Over the years, the Dry Bridge and its antiques market have become a symbol of Tbilisi. They represent the city's capacity to preserve its history while adapting to modern times. Local families stroll through the market at weekends, teaching younger generations about Georgia's history through the objects on display.
How to visit the Tbilisi Dry Bridge
The Dry Bridge is free and open every day. The best times to visit are weekend mornings, when the market is at its most lively. It is just a few minutes' walk from Rustaveli Avenue and Liberty Square, in the very heart of Tbilisi. If you want to discover it in its full historical context, at Iberogeorgia we organise Spanish-language guided tours of the old town and the capital's main highlights.