Tbilisi — The Seminarian's Oath
Uncover the dark secret behind young Stalin's seminary oath. Decode clues across Old Tbilisi's ancient churches and alleys to expose a conspiracy that forged a dictator.
📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes
In 1894, Tbilisi's Theological Seminary was a crucible of faith and rebellion
Tbilisi — The Seminarian's Oath
You are a seminary student in Tbilisi, 1899, witnessing Georgia's struggle under Russian rule.
Your mission: decipher coded messages left by your former classmate, Iosseb Djougach
Dive into the history-laden streets of Tbilisi, where young Iosseb Djougachvili forged his destiny, amidst religious fervor and revolutionary ideals.
The story that haunts this land
Your quest begins at Sioni Cathedral, the main religious edifice in Tbilisi. Built between the 6th and 7th centuries, this church was the site of royal coronations for the Bagratid dynasty, including that of George V in 1313. It houses the Crosses of Saint Nino, 4th-century relics linked to the Christianization of Iberia. In 1899, liturgical chants still echoed through its naves, restored in 2007 after earthquake damage in 2002, a solemn setting for the aspirations of a young seminarian who would shape Georgia's history. The first clues are hidden in the details of its ancient architecture, guiding you towards the heart of Tbilisi.
Your journey then leads you to the National Museum of Georgia, founded in 1828 as the Caucasian Museum. It is a treasure trove of knowledge and artifacts, housing the Oni Treasure from 1535 BC and 60 kg of Colchian gold. The neoclassical building, constructed between 1816 and 1820 by German architect Friedrich Böhm, stands 700m from Sioni Cathedral via Rustaveli Avenue. In 1899, the collections were already growing, offering insight into Georgia's deep roots and identity. Ancient artifacts could hold the keys to Stalin's early ideals, as he frequented this avenue during his seminary years in Tbilisi.
Freedom Square, the nerve center of Tbilisi since the 1850s, formerly Saint George's Square, is your next stop. Here, the statue of Saint George slaying the dragon, erected in 1990 by sculptor Elguja Ahvlediani, dominates the space. This site was the scene of the Rose Revolution protests in 2003, but long before, it was already a convergence point for ideas and movements. 500m from Sioni Cathedral via Shavteli Street, this square is a crossroads where Tbilisi's past and present meet, a place where young minds like Iosseb Djougachvili could have debated future changes.
Continue towards the Mtkvari River Embankments, where the modern Rike Park, opened in 2013, stretches along the Mtkvari River. This site is connected to the Old Town by the Bridge of Peace pedestrian bridge, 274m long and designed by Michele de Lucchi. 300m from Sioni Cathedral, the embankments offer stunning city views. It is also a center for archaeological excavations revealing 4th-century vestiges of Tbilisi. In 1899, the banks of the Mtkvari were already a place of intense life, commerce, and encounters, a strategic point where information and ideas circulated freely, essential for a burgeoning revolutionary.
Your journey through Tbilisi, amidst historical monuments and symbols of contemporary Georgia, has allowed you to retrace the footsteps of Iosseb Djougachvili. From the solemnity of Sioni Cathedral to the tumults of Freedom Square, passing through the Viceroy's Palace, a witness to Russian reforms, and the Parliament of Georgia, scene of the April 9, 1989 events, each step has revealed a facet of his journey. The April 9 Garden, created in 1845, and the Mtkvari Embankments completed this picture. You leave the city with a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped the destiny of this man and the Georgian nation, enriched by the secrets you unearthed in Tbilisi's cultural heritage.
A game, a guided tour and a heritage guide — all in one
You're not just buying an escape game. You're carrying a living guide — historical anecdotes, forgotten legends, key monuments, hidden architecture — unfolding as you go.
At each stop, places ordinary guides miss — secret façades, sculpted crests, alleys steeped in history.
Every riddle is rooted in a real historical fact or local legend. You leave with dozens of stories to tell.
Learn to read buildings — flamboyant Gothic, Baroque, Art Deco — like a real art historian, while having fun.
Walk through the city like a novel's character — every alley becomes a stage, every square a theatre.
A voice walks with you at every step, tells the story of each place, reads clues, adds a cinematic feel.
Keep access to the guide & game for 1 year. Come back any time, share it with friends.
« You will not leave this city the way you entered it. »
How does it work?
Explore the city on foot solving puzzles based on real historical facts. No locked room — the city is your playground.
No app to download. Play directly from your browser. Guided step by step, at your own pace.
One purchase per phone is enough. Play with family, friends or as a couple — everyone participates.
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears and speaks to you in your language. Golden letters magically write themselves on the wall to reveal the puzzle answer.
Stuck? Progressive personalised hints. The character repeats the puzzle on demand — at your own pace.
French, English, German, Spanish, Italian + 27 other languages auto-translated by AI.
Want to go deeper?
Places tied to your adventure — optional entries, totally up to you · per person
The Route
8 stages through the city
The gameplay: AR, camera, hidden clues
At each stop, open your phone camera: an augmented reality character appears on the façade and speaks your language. Hunt the clue — it materializes as golden letters on the real wall or floats in front of you. When you find it, the phone vibrates, an AR chest opens and reveals your answer fragment. 8 stops, 8 clues to find with the camera, 1 final code.
The stops on your route are a surprise. You'll discover them one by one, guided by your phone, starting from the meeting point.
How does it work with a group?
One phone = one team. Pick the number at checkout (1 to 10).
Solo, or a group sharing the screen. One team, one code.
Family, couple, or 2-3 teams competing. Each phone has its own code and its own score.
Friends, bachelor/bachelorette, small office outing — each their own code, each plays at their own pace. Tiered pricing then €6 flat per phone from the 6th.
- ✓All codes are independent — play at the same time OR separately, each team advances at its own pace.
- ✓Leaderboard between your teams + global game leaderboard — each score appears in the public ranking.
- ✓More than 10 phones or need a personalized quest? Discover custom tours.
Ready to live this adventure?
Get my code · 12€No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒 Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
Practical info
Why this route?
The Clandestine Writings
Decipher hidden messages in Stalin's youthful poetry and revolutionary manifestos.
Historical Investigation
Unravel the mystery of a seminarian's transformation into one of history's most controversial figures.
The Paths of Power
Reconstruct the secret itinerary of his revolutionary beginnings, paved with forbidden ideas and decisive encounters.
From shadow to legend, tracing a singular destiny.
Tbilisi was his revolutionary cradle. And yours?
9 features nobody else has
OddballTrip combines gamified play, augmented reality and AI. All our competitors deliver 1 or 2 of these angles. We deliver all 5.
AR treasure chest
A golden chest floats in front of the monument. Tap → opening animation → reveals a secret message.
AR narrator character
Point your phone at the façade: a knight, witch, monk, sailor, detective or ghost appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language with their dedicated ElevenLabs voice (each character has their own unique voice) — your living guide.
Magic golden letters
At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's the puzzle answer. An unforgettable visual effect.
Written + audio narration
Every puzzle available as text AND voice-over: read at your own pace or listen eyes-free while walking. Great in groups and for accessibility.
360° radar + vibration
A mini-radar shows the target even behind you, and the phone vibrates when you aim in the right direction.
Heritage storytelling
Every puzzle weaves in real historical facts (architecture, era, anecdotes). You learn by playing — like a gamified audioguide.
Progressive AI hints
3 levels of AI-generated help: vibe → where to look → answer format. You're never stuck.
AR selfie memento
At the end of the game, capture a selfie with OddballTrip banner + mascot, shareable on Instagram, TikTok.
Zero app to install
PWA technology: open the link, it plays in your browser. Same quality as an app, no App Store hassle.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Do I need to download an app?
No, never. You get a link, you click, it plays in your browser. That's the point of a PWA: same as an app, without the hassle.
Q02Does it work offline?
GPS yes (handled by your phone). Maps yes (tiles cached). AI and hints need an intermittent 4G connection.
Q03How long does a game take?
1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on your pace. The timer runs but only for the leaderboard — you play at your own tempo.
Q04What happens if I'm stuck?
You get 3 levels of hints per puzzle (increasing penalty). If truly stuck, you can skip the step (45-min penalty but you keep going).
Q05What's the age range?
From 12 without an adult, from 6 with an adult reading puzzles. Works for families, couples, friend groups, companies.
Q06What if my city isn't in the catalogue?
Pre-register or contact us — we'll email you as soon as your city is live.
Q07What is augmented reality exactly?
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language. At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's your answer. After each puzzle solved, a treasure chest floats in front of you. Seeing is believing.
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Your turn to play
Dive into the history-laden streets of Tbilisi, where young Iosseb Djougachvili forged his destiny, amidst religious fervor and revolutionary ideals.
1 purchase = 1 phone. Play several on the same device.
No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
🪙+24 TripCoins granted with your booking
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