East bank

Opposite the old town, on the eastern bank of the Kura river Tbilisi expands towards the east. In this part of the city there are only a few historic buildings. The Rike park was recently set up along the Kura river and is a pleasant recreation area. It is overlooked by the presidential palace. From the Rike park a cablecar leads to the Narikala fortress on a hill overlooking Tbilisi. The Sameba cathedral (Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, თბილისის წმინდა სამების საკათედრო ტაძარი in Georgian) is on a hill about 500m from the Kura river. It's an imposing, beautiful structure, built between 1995 and 2004. The 18th century Queen Darejan's palace is located above the Rike park and was residence of wife of the Georgian King Erekle II.