Guided tour - Georgia: a story of encounters

On this tour, you will learn about Georgia's long history and the influences that have shaped it. Located in the Caucasus with peaks up to 5,000 metres, between the Black and Caspian seas, the country has been a conduit of cross-cultural relations between a multitude of peoples from the very beginning.

1.8 million years ago, homo erectus spread across this part of Eurasia. The first proto-Georgian tribes manifested themselves as early as the Neolithic period (-6th to -5th millennium) and in the Bronze Age, techniques such as metalworking reached a peak. Trade between the Greeks and the Persian Empire, or later between the Romans and the Sassanids, brings the fledgling Georgian states into the economic and cultural sphere of interest of the time.

During Roman rule, Christianity was introduced. From the 4th century, the first churches are built. Monasteries and conversion zeal give impetus to the development of a distinctive writing system. There is a growing interest in the own traditions and identity, resulting in a unified kingdom of Georgia in the Middle Ages. The period between the 10th and the 12th century is often called a golden era: cities, monasteries, art, culture, economy are at their peak. Sandwiched between the Christian sphere of influence of the Byzantine Empire and the sphere of influence of the Islamic empires (Abbasids and Mongols), Georgia is regularly hit by invasions. The empire disintegrates into several small states.

Nevertheless, the country remains a Christian buffer between the Muslim empires of the Ottomans (north) and Safawids (south). At the end of the 18th century, Georgia comes under the protection of Tsarist Russia, bringing an end to the invasions by Turks and Persians on the one hand, but on the other hand curtailing Georgian language, culture and traditions.

Georgia briefly becomes independent for the first time in 1918. The famous Georgian Joseph Stalin is instrumental in the subsequent occupation of Georgia 1921. Only 70 years later, Georgia regained its independence in the final days of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dismantling of USSR. To this day, parts of the country are occupied by the Russians.

Through material culture and the guide's expert explanations, you will find out all about it.

On Sundays
29.10.23
5 & 19.11.23
3 & 17.12.23
14 & 28.01.24
11.02.24

From 15:00 to 16:30

20 € / 8 (-19 years & Museumpass)

Meeting point – reception desk A&H Museum

Need more information? Ask your questions on public@kmkg-mrah.be