Historical figures, royalty, nobility, and cultural heritage influencers. Showcasing people who have shaped history and tradition
Ilia Chavchvadze (1837 - 1907) - One of the greatest Georgian writers, and a public benefactor and leader of the national liberation movement. Born to a prominent noble family in Kvareli, he graduated from the 1st Classical Gymnasium in Tbilisi and studied law at the University of St. Pet […]
Akaki Tsereteli (1840 - 1915) - Georgian writer, public figure, and benefactor, one of the leaders of the national movement in the late 19th century. Tsereteli was born into a prominent noble family in Imereti and was related to King Solomon I of Imereti. Educated at Kutaisi Gymnasium, h […]
Giorgi V of Georgia (Brilliant) (d. 1346) was the King of Georgia, reigning first nominally in 1299 and then fully from 1318 until his death in 1346. The son of King Demetre II, he was endorsed by the Mongol overlords in 1299, though his actual authority extended only to Tbilisi at that t […]
Salome Andronikashvili (Tbilisi 1888 - London 1982). Salome and her cousin Tinatin Jorjadze went to St. Petersburg in 1906 to study at the “Bestuzhev Courses” at the Women’s High School. During her stay in St. Petersburg, she met Zinovy Peshkov, the adopted son of the writer Maxim Gorky, […]
David IV Agmashenebeli (also known as David IV the Builder) (1073 - 1125). King of Georgia in 1089–1125, popularly considered as the greatest Georgian king. Born into the family of King Giorgi II in Kutaisi, David was raised during one of the darkest chapters of Georgian history. Starting […]
Ivane Javakhishvili (or Ivane Javakhov) (1876–1940). One of the most distinguished Georgian historians and scholars. One of the founders of Tbilisi State University. Born in Tbilisi, he graduated from the Faculty of Oriental Languages of St. Petersburg University in 1899 and became a pr […]
Dimitri Kipiani (1814–1887). Georgian writer, publicist, and public figure. Born in the village of Mereti, Kipiani graduated from a gymnasium in Tbilisi and began his career as a teacher. He participated in the 1832 conspiracy of the Georgian nobles and was exiled to Siberia, where he rem […]
Konstantine Marjanishvili (1872 Kvareli – 1933 Moscow) - Composer and stage director. Born in Kvareli, in the family of Alexander Marjanishvili (Marjanov) and Princess Elizaveta Chavchavadze, Hegumen Tamar's brother. He began his career as a theater actor in Kutaisi and Tbilisi from 1893– […]
Givi Amilakhvari (1689 - 1754) - Prominent statesman and military commander. In early the 18th century, Amilakhvari was one of the most powerful lords serving as the commander of Upper Kartli military district and mouravi of the fortress of Gori. He distinguished himself during the Ottoma […]
Alexander Kartveli (Kartvelishvili) 1896 - 1974 - One of the pioneers of the US aviation, an American aircraft designer. He was born in Tbilisi. In 1914 Alexander Kartveli graduated from an artillery school. During the years he spent participating in WW I Alexander Kartveli took an intere […]
«Prince Matchabelli» - George Matchabelli (1885 – 1935) - Politician, public figure and perfumer. He graduated from the Classical School of Nobilities in Tbilisi and Academy of Mines in Berlin. He was in Belgium when WW I broke out. He moved to Germany where he founded “Georgian Liberatio […]
Dimitri Amilakhvari (1906 - 1942) - Officer of French army, Vice Colonel of French Foreign Legion, hero of French Resistance. He was born in Bazorkino village (present Chermen in North Ossetia). Friends used to call him ‘Bazorka’ after the place of his birth. In 1921, after the Russian an […]
George Balanchine (Jorj Balanchini, Giorgi Balanchivadze) (1904-1983) - American Ballet Master, founder of Classical American Ballet, son of Georgian composer Meliton Balanchivadze. He was born in Saint Petersburg. In 1921 he graduated from the Theatrical College of the Petrograd Mariin […]