Baratashvili Bridge
{{Infobox bridge
|name= Baratshvili Bridge
ბარათაშვილის ხიდი
|image= River Mtkvari, the Baratashvili Bridge & Presidential Palace in Tbilisi (2010).jpg
|caption= View of Baratashvili Bridge over Kura River with President's Office on the right
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|carries=
|crosses= Kura River (Mtkvari)
|maint= Tbilisi City Administration
|id=
|design= cantilever bridge
|mainspan=
|length= {{Convert|150|m|ft|}}
|width=
|clearance=
|below=
|traffic=
|open= 1966
|closed=
|toll=
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|coordinates = {{coord|41.696|44.8060|display=inline,title}}
}}
Baratashvili Bridge ({{lang-ka|ბარათაშვილის ხიდი}}, baratashvilis khidi) is a traffic and pedestrian bridge over the Kura River in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia. It was built in 1966 in place of the previously dismantled Mukhrani Bridge honoring Princess Mukhrani.{{cite web |url=http://tbilisiguide.ge/w/routes/route5.php |title=Tbilisi Travel Guide. Tourist Routes |accessdate=2011-05-18}}{{cite web |url=http://wikimapia.org/1810785/ru/%D0%9C%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82-%D0%91%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%88%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8-%D0%BE%D0%BD-%D0%B6%D0%B5-%D0%9C%D1%83%D1%85%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9 |title=Мост Бараташвили (он же Мухранский) (Тбилиси) |trans-title=Baratashvili (aka Mukhrani) Bridge (Tbilisi) |accessdate=2011-05-18}}
Design
The bridge, located in Mtasminda district of the city,{{cite web |url=http://travelgeorgia.ru/163/ |title=Район Мтацминда |trans-title=Mtatsminda district |accessdate=2011-05-18}} is often referred to as Bridge of Love, in reference to its current name given in honor of Georgian romanticism poet Nikoloz Baratashvili. The railings of the bridge have been decorated with bronze figures of couples in love.{{cite web |url=http://www.layman.ru/photo/travel/po_tu_storonu_hrebta/Tbilisi/Most_Baratashvili.html |title=Мост Бараташвили |trans-title=Baratashvili Bridge |accessdate=2011-05-18 |archive-date=2012-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324060740/http://www.layman.ru/photo/travel/po_tu_storonu_hrebta/Tbilisi/Most_Baratashvili.html |url-status=dead }} The bridge stretches over Mtkvari River in parallel to the picturesque Bridge of Peace{{cite web |url=http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=14224 |title=World Architecture. Peace Offering |accessdate=2011-05-18}} and extends to Tbilisi Airport through a recently renovated highway.{{cite web |url=http://www.president.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=226&info_id=4694 |title=President Saakashvili attends road rehabilitation works at Baratashvili Bridge |publisher=Office of the President of Georgia |accessdate=2011-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722144354/http://www.president.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=226&info_id=4694 |archive-date=2011-07-22 |url-status=dead }} The bridge and the highway were renovated by Khidmsheni construction company.{{cite web |url=http://www.khidmsheni.ge/en/ |title=Khidmsheni. About us |accessdate=2011-05-18}}