Tbilisi's 18th century Palace of Queen Darejan monument restored

A two-year rehabilitation project for the Palace of Queen Darejan, an 18th century-built downtown Tbilisi residence of the queen consort of the Kartli-Kakheti Kingdom, has been completed, with the work safeguarding the architecture complex that had been under the danger of collapse.

Built on an old city gate where ruins of a fort could be found, the 1776-constructed complex has seen a major effort on many of its parts and elements, from restoration of its own gate and reinforcement of the walls of the latter, to setting-up of a drainage system, and strengthening of the construction of the base of the monument. The update was released by Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze on social media.

Other work saw professionals restore the palace's entrance gate made of metal, as well as handlebars of the same material found throughout it. An old bath named after King Heraclius II was also brought back to life, while new lamp posts and external lighting were installed to showcase parts of the site at night.

The gate of the 18th century monument had fallen under the threat of collapse after its structural stability deteriorated due to neglect. Photo via Tbilisi mayor social media profile on Facebook.

The palace now has a new irrigation system for its lawn, where a layer of grass has been laid down and trees and plants have been added. Layers of soil and rogue plants accumulated over years around the building have been removed, as the neglected site received attention of city authorities.

While the rehabilitation effort was ongoing on the palace, workers involved in reinforcing the base and setting up the drainage system on the complex unearthed fragments of an old gate construction, which were cleaned by archaeologists and preserved in their state.

In addition to construction and strengthening work on the building, the project on the residence also involved conservation work on the wall painting in an 18th century Monastery of Transfiguration at the complex.

A closer view on the gates and walls of the residence, built on the cliffside of Narikala and Metekhi. Photo via Tbilisi mayor social media profile on Facebook.

Located in the Isani District of the capital city, the Palace of Queen Darejan has been described as the "inseparable part of the Narikala and Metekhi [historical] cliffside development". Built by King Heraciuls II, it served as the residence for his wife, Queen Consort of Kartli-Kakheti Kingdom.

Following the death of the king and forced resettlement of the queen by Russian Imperial authorities after their annexation of Georgia at the turn of the 19th century, the palace was obtained by religious authorities and served as a spiritual seminary and school.

The building was subjected to partial modification in the 19th century, and has served as a nunnery since 1991. A part of its gate collapsed in 2013, which clearly illustrated the reduction in structural stability of the construction over decades as its material became hollowed out, until the newly concluded restoration.