Located near Freedom Square in Tbilisi, the Art Museum of Georgia—also known as the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts—offers you a captivating journey through centuries of artistic culture. Housed inside a grand 1838 neoclassical building that once served as the Tiflis Theological Seminary, this premier institution holds around 140,000 items under the Georgian National Museum umbrella. When you explore its spacious rooms, you will discover an extensive permanent collection spanning Georgian, Oriental, Russian, and European art.
The crowning jewel of your visit is the Georgian art section, which illustrates the development of the nation's culture from ancient times to the present. You can also admire one of the post-Soviet world's largest Oriental art displays, featuring notable Persian Qajar fine arts such as delicate court beauty miniatures and portraits of shahs and noblemen. Additionally, the collection encompasses returned pieces of the National Treasury of Georgia, including historic metalwork, jewelry, enamels, manuscripts, and paintings.
Whether you are taking in these permanent national treasures or viewing one of the museum's temporary exhibitions from local and international collections, you will experience an essential stop on Tbilisi's cultural landscape.
What to see at Art Museum of Georgia
- Over 140,000 items spanning Georgian, Oriental, Russian, and European art
- Comprehensive Georgian art collection tracing history from ancient times to today
- Persian Qajar court art featuring portraits of shahs, noblemen, and court beauties
- Historic 1838 neoclassical building formerly used as the Tiflis Theological Seminary
- Georgian National Treasury items including enamels, jewelry, manuscripts, and metalwork
Visiting tips
Be sure to ask about current temporary exhibitions during your visit, as the museum frequently hosts special displays featuring works from other collections across Georgia and abroad.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Art Museum of Georgia is easy to reach on Tbilisi’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Rustaveli Theatre and Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Tbilisi travel guide.
See the full Tbilisi travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.