Svobody Square

Freedom Square in the center of Tbilisi has undergone several name changes in its 200 year history. Built in the early 19th century in a neo-classical style with Moorish architectural elements, it was originally named Pashkevich-Erivanskaya Square in honor of Ivan Paskevich, a Ukrainian general of the Russian Imperial Army who had conquered Erivan (present-day Yerevan in Armenia) for the Russian Empire. In 1907, the square was the location for an audacious and bloody bank robbery, involving Joseph Stalin, which netted the equivalent of 4 million US dollars in today’s money. Following the collapse of the Russian Empire the square was re-named Freedom Square during the foundation of the First Georgian Republic in 1918 but renamed, first “Beria Square”, and then “Lenin Square” during Soviet times. Following the restoration of Georgia’s independence, the square reverted to the name given to it in 1918 during the foundation of the First Georgian Republic – Freedom Square. In 2006, the Freedom Monument, commonly known as the St. George Statue, was erected in the centre of the square. Designed by Georgian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, it is dedicated to the freedom and independence of the Georgian nation.

Pushkin Square

The street was Named after the famous Russian poet and author Alexander Pushkin.