Do you love books, great architecture, and random side quests? If so, then you might be interested in the Museum of Books, hidden in the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, at 7 Lado Gudiashvili Street. It is near NovaMova, where SRAS programs in Tbilisi are hosted. For only 10 lari, you can observe a collection of ancient and unique books from one of the world’s oldest literary cultures.
To enter the museum, you must ask the attendant at the library entrance to see the Museum of Books. They will guide you to a separate room to pay and then to the exhibit itself. To get there, you are led through hallways with stacks and stacks of books and archives, revealing the magnitude of the library’s collection. You’ll know you are close after you pass through a fabulous room with an ornate ceiling, a marble staircase, and a ballroom to the side. Although the building itself was built in the early 20th century, this room looks as though it were produced in medieval times.
Once you enter, the museum staff will show you to a touchscreen where you can read, in English, Russian, or Georgian, a little overview of each book on display. The books are presented to reveal the diverse purposes they played in society. From documenting scientific discoveries to encapsulating folklore to preserving religion, books remained a precious commodity throughout the history of the Caucasus. The museum features ancient manuscripts, rare print books from Moscow, old Georgian children’s books, psalters, and much more.
Given pride of place in the museum is an illustrated copy of The Knight in a Panther’s Skin, a famous Georgian epic poem written by the beloved Shota Rustaveli, a statue of whom also stands guard outside the library entrance. An entire room is devoted to Rustaveli and his famous work, with hand-copied texts and printed copies in multiple languages on display. One copy in Georgian was produced in the 17th century in the publishing house founded by Georgian King Vakhtang VI. Another room of the museum is devoted largely to preserving many of the other diverse books that were produced by his press.
Still another room recreates the simple but elegant office of Ilia Chavchavadze, a famous Georgian writer and activist who many consider to be the founding father of modern Georgia. Many of the books that influenced him can be seen still resting in his book cabinet.
If you are looking for yet another side quest, you can apply for a library card to enter the library itself. You’ll exit the museum to the street, turn right, and find the registration office two doors down. Just bring your passport, fill out the appropriate paperwork, and you will receive your own library card. The library is the perfect study spot with a quiet atmosphere, encrusted ceilings, and scattered plants that give a simple yet elegant vibe. So, if you are looking for a side quest close to school, the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia offers a rare exhibit on the rich and diverse intellectual history of the Caucasus, situated both on the Silk Road and, later, within the Soviet Union.
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