The Clock Tower is Rezo Gabriadze’s deliberately off-kilter public artwork at 13 Ioane Shavteli Street, in Tbilisi’s Old Town near Anchiskhati Basilica. Built in 2010 beside the Gabriadze Marionette Theatre, it is a modern creation rather than a surviving medieval tower. Travelers come for its patchwork masonry, painted ceramic tiles, hourly bell-striking angel, and miniature mechanical theater, all packed into one of the city’s most distinctive streetscapes.
What to Expect at The Clock Tower
The tower looks assembled from mismatched buildings: irregular stonework rises in uneven stages, a large clock face interrupts the façade, and a steel support exaggerates the impression that the structure needs propping up. Gabriadze, the Georgian filmmaker, writer, sculptor, and puppeteer, designed it as an extension of his theatrical world. His neighboring marionette theater opened in 1981; the tower arrived almost three decades later. Look closely rather than simply taking a full-height photograph: the handmade ceramic decoration rewards attention at pavement level.
On the hour, a small angel emerges near the top and strikes a bell with a hammer. The longer mechanical presentation, The Circle of Life, is traditionally scheduled for noon and 7 p.m., depicting stages of human life through moving figures. This is an outdoor spectacle watched from the street, not a tower interior tour. There is no visitor observation deck or tower climb. For a fuller encounter with Gabriadze’s work, consider a separately ticketed marionette performance next door; these productions are distinct from the free clock display.
- Leaning silhouette: Uneven masonry and an exposed metal support create the tower’s intentionally precarious appearance.
- Hourly angel: A small mechanical figure appears above the clock and strikes the bell.
- The Circle of Life: The miniature theater offers a longer moving-figure sequence at its scheduled presentations.
- Painted ceramic tiles: Gabriadze’s decorative details bring color and individual character to the lower façade.
- Marionette theater setting: The adjoining theater places the clock within the artist’s broader theatrical legacy.
The Clock Tower at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 13 Ioane Shavteli Street, Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Neighborhood / Area | Old Town, near Anchiskhati Basilica |
| Operating Hours | Exterior accessible Monday–Sunday, 24 hours; hourly angel display; longer show traditionally noon and 7 p.m. |
| Admission / Price Range | Free exterior viewing ($); theater performances ticketed separately |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 20–30 minutes, allowing for the next clock animation |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Liberty Square metro, Akhmeteli–Varketili line, approximately 15 minutes on foot; limited signed street parking around Baratashvili Street |
| Official Website & Phone | Gabriadze official website; +995 32 298 65 90 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive about ten minutes before the hour to inspect the tiles and choose a viewing position without blocking the narrow pedestrian passage. Noon and 7 p.m. attract visitors waiting for the longer animation; check the official tower page when organizing your day around it. From Liberty Square metro, walk down toward Baratashvili Street and enter Shavteli Street from the north. Driving offers little advantage: the immediate theater frontage is pedestrian-oriented, and legal spaces on surrounding streets are limited. Use marked municipal parking and follow posted payment instructions.
The clock can be viewed from street level without climbing stairs, but uneven paving, joints, and crowded sections can complicate wheelchair or stroller movement. Approach slowly and leave room for people passing through; no elevator is needed for the exterior experience. Anchiskhati Basilica, a sixth-century church, is roughly a minute away. Continue south to the glass-and-steel Bridge of Peace in about eight minutes, or to Sioni Cathedral in roughly ten. Inside active churches, cover shoulders and knees and avoid interrupting services; these requirements do not apply to viewing the clock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours and best visiting times?
The exterior is accessible around the clock, every day. Visit just before an hour for the bell-striking angel, or plan around the traditional noon and 7 p.m. presentations of The Circle of Life.
Do I need a ticket or reservation?
No ticket or reservation is needed to watch the clock from Shavteli Street. Performances inside the Gabriadze Marionette Theatre require separate tickets; consult the theater’s official website for its program and booking.
How long should I allow?
Allow 20–30 minutes for the façade, photographs, and an animation if your arrival is well timed. Arriving immediately after the hour can mean a substantially longer wait for the next angel appearance.
Is the clock suitable for children and wheelchair users?
The short mechanical displays suit a brief family stop, and the exterior requires no stairs. Wheelchair users should account for uneven street surfaces and spectators gathering close together; the tower itself has no public climbing route.
When planning your Tbilisi travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Tbilisi, pair this stop with standout local spots including Georgian House, Barbarestan, kneina, and OtsY • ოცი (nearby).
