Tbilisi Sports Palace

Tbilisi Sports Palace, sports arena in Tbilisi (architects V. Aleksi-Meskhishvili, Y. Kasradze, constructor D. Kajaia). The project was approved in 1956, built in 1957–1961. It was opened on May 12, 1961. The outer perimeter of the square-shaped building is 352 m (88×04). The main arena – 44x27.4, the elevated stands can accommodate 9,305 spectators. The first floor of the building is sunk into the ground. The Sports Palace is covered with a spherical dome of reinforced concrete columns, the diameter of which equals to 76 m. Along with the main arena, the Tbilisi Sports Palace includes two arenas with the appropriate infrastructure. The Tbilisi Sports Palace regularly hosts international competitions in various sports. Mass performances (ballroom dances, pop concerts) are held there; Sport sections are in operation; Children's skating school also operates there. In 1989, the “Museum of Georgian Sports Glory” was opened in the Tbilisi Sports Palace. The palace was named after G. Kartozia in 2001.In 1965, a sculptural composition was erected on the square in front of the Tbilisi Sports Palace — Mzechabuki (sculptor J. Mikatadze), and in 2010 — a statue of Givi Kartozia (sculptor G. Shkhvatsabaia).