Gabriadze Theatre and Leaning Clock Tower, Tbilisi

The Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theater and Leaning Clock Tower are iconic landmarks in the heart of Tbilisi. The Clock Tower stands adjacent to the Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theatre. It was constructed over a four-year period by Rezo Gabriadze, a renowned puppeteer and the founder of the puppet theatre. While the tower has been standing since 2010, it was only recently opened to the public. Its design gives the impression of a tower from a bygone era, seemingly held together by an iron plank and constructed using different building elements. This intentional design is said to be Gabriadze's artistic response to soulless modernization.

One of the most captivating features of the Clock Tower is the puppet show that takes place every hour. From a window on the tower, an angel emerges and rings the bell, signaling the start of the show. Two puppets, a male and a female, then appear in a lower window, depicting the cycle of life through marriage, childbearing, and death in a poignant and entertaining manner. As a result, the area around the tower becomes quite crowded at the beginning of each hour, but if you wish to capture the surroundings in a more peaceful atmosphere, visiting during the intermediate hours is recommended. Adjacent to the tower, there is a café at the entrance of the theatre where visitors can relax and enjoy refreshments.