Kutaisi Botanical Garden

Have you ever been inside a tree church? No? Not a problem. In Kutaisi Botanical Garden, you can visit a 400-year-old oak tree that has a functional chapel inside of it. It is a beautiful tree that naturally has a big hole inside of it, so it became an inspiration for local artists and the administration of the Botanical Garden of Kutaisi. The garden administration made special custom-made windows and a glass door for the tree and adorned it with different icons. Services aren’t held in this chapel, but prayers are allowed, and there is space for five people at the same time in this tree chapel. But this isn’t all. Since its creation, this small chapel has become a heaven for couples, especially those whose love is prohibited. They come to this chapel and promise love to each other and to God. This is the Georgian version of San Francesco Al Corso Monastery, the church where Romeo and Juliet were married. So couples from around the world, you are welcome in Kutaisi Botanical Garden, and I am sure you can even organize a small wedding for two in the garden because local priests are always on the side of love.

The botanical garden, also known as "Choma Park," was founded in Kutaisi in the 1840s and is one of the oldest gardens in the area. Except for the tree chapel, you can see around 700 species of plants here: trees, bushes, and flowers from all around the world. So if you happen to be in Kutaisi, specifically in Bagrati Cathedral, don’t forget to walk in the Botanical Garden as well. It is just 3 minutes' drive from Bagrati Cathedral. Our tours to Kutaisi can be seen here.