Cableways Chiatura
Cableways Chiatura
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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4.5
81 reviews
Excellent
57
Very good
11
Average
6
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Matt W
3 contributions
Feb 2019
I was there in 2017. The cable cars were running. I went on two of them. After the first, I needed some real persuasion to go on the second. There was no way I would do a third. And that was the attraction of the place - the fact they had these decrepit, rusty flying coffins that were free to travel on for brave tourists and normal locals (who used them regularly and didn't think anything of it).
The thing is... I think the ship has sailed on these cable cars. I have heard they have closed for maintenance.
I believe one of the following to be true:
1) They realise how dangerous these things are and don't want the reputation for killing tourists.
2) They realise they can make some money out of these cable cars but feel bad about charging a fee for these rusty deathtraps.
3) They are happy that they have cast off the yoke of their former Soviet masters and have progressed as a strong, independent nation but yet...
The tourists are still more impressed by the 1950s Soviet technology. Damn!
The increase in tourism recently has seen a huge increase in cable car activity and, legitimately, they might feel they just need to do a bit of extra maintenance.
My only fear is that the authorities miss the point as to why tourists want to travel on these cable cars and that they end up just replacing them with a new system. It wouldn't surprise me - when I was there, nobody really understood why I wanted to go on them. Perhaps they just think that lots of tourists really want to go to the tops of those hills!
The thing is... I think the ship has sailed on these cable cars. I have heard they have closed for maintenance.
I believe one of the following to be true:
1) They realise how dangerous these things are and don't want the reputation for killing tourists.
2) They realise they can make some money out of these cable cars but feel bad about charging a fee for these rusty deathtraps.
3) They are happy that they have cast off the yoke of their former Soviet masters and have progressed as a strong, independent nation but yet...
The tourists are still more impressed by the 1950s Soviet technology. Damn!
The increase in tourism recently has seen a huge increase in cable car activity and, legitimately, they might feel they just need to do a bit of extra maintenance.
My only fear is that the authorities miss the point as to why tourists want to travel on these cable cars and that they end up just replacing them with a new system. It wouldn't surprise me - when I was there, nobody really understood why I wanted to go on them. Perhaps they just think that lots of tourists really want to go to the tops of those hills!
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nomadic_amit
Pune, India101 contributions
Sept 2018
These metal cabins look scary but it's a way of life for the locals. We had a great time mingling with curious locals who laughed at us when we told them we came all the way from India just to ride these cable cars :) There are two cable ways within the town, going in opposite directions and both have great views. There is another cable car about 5 kilometers outside of the town, which is basically a combination of two cable cars... the first one takes you across the river on a hillock, and after a further 100 minute walk, there's the second one that takes you across the gorge to a higher hilltop. There are no views from those cable cars as they are just used by miners and locals. Chiatura is a beautiful town lost in time. We stayed for a night and I'd have loved to stay longer.
Written 17 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tn950
France76 contributions
Aug 2019
We came for the cableways and were of course disappointed to find out they had just definitely closed down. But then you realize how big the impact is on the everyday life of the miners and the local people up in the mountains who now have to walk or spend long hours in a bus. You can still see the old cableways. And there is still one cableway running that brings the manganese down from the mine (not for passengers though). You can still see the old cableways. And there is still one cableway running that brings the manganese down from the mine (not for passengers though).
The city is so much worth exploring. There are a lot of amazing USSR buildings and mosaics. The pioneer palace used to learn the youth what it means to be a good USSR citizen. A very unique place to spend some time.
The city is so much worth exploring. There are a lot of amazing USSR buildings and mosaics. The pioneer palace used to learn the youth what it means to be a good USSR citizen. A very unique place to spend some time.
Written 10 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PM
Rotterdam, The Netherlands78 contributions
June 2021 • Family
Lovely city to walk through and imagine how different it would have been in the past. You can see some of the old cable cars in the air, but unfortunately they are not operating anymore. If you just wanted to ride the cable cars, this might be disappointing. I felt lucky to have escaped a possible death to be honest. There are some well-preserved mosaics and cable car houses you can climb into. We combined our trip with the katskhi pillar and had o lovely day.
Written 19 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy N
Grecia, Costa Rica28 contributions
Sept 2019
Worth visiting the old cableway stations and seeing the old cars, but the cableways are not running at this time (2019). They have made good progress on the new station and infrastructure for an upgraded cableway, and I was told they expect it to be running by sometime in 2020. Check before you go if this is your main reason for visiting Chiatura.
Written 28 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terry Anzur
Jupiter, FL1,869 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
It's easy to see why these rusty gondolas have been called "flying coffins." There's no safety mechanism and if something should break, the only option is straight down. Stalin hid out in this grimy mining town when he was a revolutionary and planned the cable cars to ease the lives of miners who had to scramble up and down the steep cliffs to reach their jobs and homes. It was the first cable car transportation system of its kind in the Soviet Union when it opened in 1954. A mosaic of Stalin and Lenin can still be seen on the station where two of the 17 lines are still operating. No need to buy a ticket. You just wait until there are enough riders to fill the car. Mesh and dirty windows obscure the view on the way up or down. Besides the breathtaking view, there isn't much to see at the top except abandoned-looking mines or apartment buildings. Some of the lines are being replaced by a new, modern gondola so get here to experience the flying coffins while you still can.
Written 9 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
liszak
Why, AZ3 contributions
June 2017 • Solo
Central station is in rebuilding, another lines closed, but i find opened line 42°17'27.1"N 43°17'29.0"E
Written 14 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jjettee
5 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
When we visited, none of the cable cars were working. Even though it is possible to enter the stations I guess it is not really worth the ride to Chiatura then.
Be aware that the tourist information is not in the city center but on the hill next to the church before you enter the city. They couldnt provide any information anyway.
Be aware that the tourist information is not in the city center but on the hill next to the church before you enter the city. They couldnt provide any information anyway.
Written 16 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sebhoff
Trier, Germany1,639 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
We only went on two of the cablecars - I couldn't convince my wife to brave another one... ;-)
This is definitely an experience. It's free - you just indicate you'd like to take a ride and wait for them to motion you in. Some of the cablecars are staffed, in others you ride alone (and someone at the top/bottom will have to open the cabin for you when you get there).
The locals are quite used to what must feel to them like crazy tourists being interested in the rides. To them, however, these old and rusty cabins are essential, and every one of them that finally closes down makes their lives a little harder - and from what I have seen, life is not easy for quite a few people in Chiatura. The future of the mine is uncertain, the workers haven't been paid in months (or at least weren't some time back) and lots of buildings are crumbling.
I suspect more and more tourists will eventually discover Chiatura, and although I'm not usually in favour of charging tourists when the locals get things for free, perhaps some proceeds could be generated to put into the upkeep of the cablecars...
This is definitely an experience. It's free - you just indicate you'd like to take a ride and wait for them to motion you in. Some of the cablecars are staffed, in others you ride alone (and someone at the top/bottom will have to open the cabin for you when you get there).
The locals are quite used to what must feel to them like crazy tourists being interested in the rides. To them, however, these old and rusty cabins are essential, and every one of them that finally closes down makes their lives a little harder - and from what I have seen, life is not easy for quite a few people in Chiatura. The future of the mine is uncertain, the workers haven't been paid in months (or at least weren't some time back) and lots of buildings are crumbling.
I suspect more and more tourists will eventually discover Chiatura, and although I'm not usually in favour of charging tourists when the locals get things for free, perhaps some proceeds could be generated to put into the upkeep of the cablecars...
Written 10 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Petra M
Bratislava, Slovakia50 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
Extraordinary experience! When you see the cabins, you will not believe that the system still works. Then you spot some locals with their shopping bags waiting for their ride up the hill. It is a bit scary, as it doesn´t really seem like it is safe, it is so old! But you have to take the ride up and see the Chiatura from the bird perspective.
This town can take you back in time and you´ll love it!
This town can take you back in time and you´ll love it!
Written 18 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zoltán B
Budapest, Hungary
Hi
I would like to know whether the cable cars are reopened and operating.
Is anyone who can give some information about this?
thank you!
Written 23 June 2021
Можно ли туда обернуться одним днём из Кутаиси общественным транспортом? Если да -- как удобнее?
Спасибо!
Written 3 March 2019
May I know is it still in operation now as would like to go visit. besides this cable what else can one do in the town. any recommendation. Where to eat the best Georgian lunch there?
Written 3 October 2018
Yes, 2 cable cars within the town are operational (we visited August-end). Both start from the main cable car station and go in opposite directions, with great views of the town. Another one is slightly outside of the town (about 5 km) but nothing much in terms of views there. We had dinner at the restaurant of Hotel Newland. They have an outside terrace and the food was quite good. Other than the cable cars, there is nothing much to do except some hikes and visiting the monastery, but the town is quite charming and unique. You could visit Katski pillar, which is on the way to Kutaisi.
Written 3 October 2018
Hello, I've read that only 4 lines are active. Is it true? Do you have any suggestion how to move among the stations? Are there bus lines or other public transport?
Some says it's free, some paid. Is it free only for the locals?
Does it operate on Sundays?
Many thanks!
Written 7 February 2017
Bonjour,
Je ne trouve rien sur internet pour savoir comment se rendre a cet endroit.
Je voudrais le visiter en partant de Tbilisi, si vous pouvez m'aider.
Cdlt
Written 15 January 2017
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