Not that long ago the university street in Tbilisi would remind you of a landscape from a post-apocalyptic movie, especially during summer holidays – three empty buildings, no sign of life or civilization outside either, the silence of the breeze unbearable, a bridge over a river gorge on the verge of collapse. But in 2018 everything changed. 

The mayor of Tbilisi finally decided to bring life to the ‘student city’ and had the new student dorm built and the bridge renovated. What previously looked like a splash of asphalt over the gorge, which I personally had been too afraid to set foot on, now is a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco). 

Though smaller than the Golden Gate Bridge itself in scale, the Maghlivi Bridge is visible from distant spots in the capital. While under its tentacle-like cables that hold the crossing together, I felt as if the red metal construction was gazing down at me in impatient anticipation for me to cross and be done with it. The sight is both daunting and mesmerizing. The view from all sides makes the adrenaline kick in.

Make sure you stay until sunset and don’t worry, there are cameras everywhere and civilization is only a couple of minutes away. Please keep in mind that the bridge is only for pedestrians.