Kartlis Deda, Mother of Kartli, Mother of Kartvel or Mother of Georgian – is a monument in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, which has become one of its symbols. The author of the 20-meter aluminum female statue, dressed in Georgian national costume, is the Georgian sculptor Elguja Amashukeli. He named the statue “Dedakalaki” (Capital) and later people called it “Mother of Kartli”.
The statue was erected on Sololaki Hill in 1958 on the occasion of the 1500th anniversary of the city. According to the original decision, the allegorical wooden statue was to temporarily decorate the capital, but this decision was later changed. Because of this, in 1963, the texture of the wood was coated with aluminum to prevent damage to the statue. And in 1997, the old statue was replaced with a new one.
This is a 20-meter tall aluminum statue of a woman dressed in Georgian national clothes. Kartlis Deda, “Mother of Georgian” is a symbol of the Georgian national character: in one hand the statue holds a cup of wine to greet those who came as a friend, and in the right hand a sword for those who came as an enemy.
At the foot of the statue Kartlis Deda there is a view of the whole of Tbilisi and the Tbilisi Botanical Garden. It is located near the Narikala Fortress. The statue can be reached both on foot and by cable car.
