At the intersection of the history of three countries: Georgia, Turkey and Armenia, stands the Georgian city of Akhaltsikhe, the center of cultural and tourist life in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.
Georgia unique country. Twelve regions with varied landscapes and history are located in a small area. Samtskhe-Javakheti, where we are going after Kutaisi, borders Armenia and Turkey and their influence on the region is enormous.
Many Armenians live here, perhaps even more than Georgians, because Samtskhe-Javakheti was part of great Armenia for more than 1000 years.
The main investors in the region are Turks. They build hydroelectric power stations and gas pipelines, help with infrastructure, not for free, of course. Most likely, domination over the region in the 15th-18th centuries haunted them and they decided at all costs to regain their influence, taken away by the valiant Russian army in the 19th century. Part of the territory of Samtskhe-Javakheti, by the way, with some ancient monasteries and temples, was never liberated and remained on the territory of Turkey; Georgians still talk about this with sadness.
Akhaltsikhe city, Georgia.
The main city of Samtskhe-Javakheti is Akhaltsikhe with a population of about 20,000 people. This is where we chose to base ourselves and get to know this region. We arrived in Akhaltsikhe from Kutaisi. The distance from Kutaisi to Akhaltsikhe is about 200 kilometers, approximately the same as Tbilisi - Akhaltsikhe. Traveling such a distance by taxi is not a cheap option, so our choice fell on a minibus. We buy a ticket at the Kutaisi bus station (18 GEL per person) and in just over three hours we find ourselves in Akhaltsikhe.
Kutaisi - Akhaltsikhe.
Driving a minibus in Georgia is a separate story, but to hear it you need your own experience.
There were few people in our minibus at the beginning of the journey; along the way, the number of passengers either increased or decreased, and we even managed to communicate with some of them. For some time, a beekeeper rode next to me. He took the queen to his apiary, showed it to me and boasted about his honey. At one stop, the woman asked the driver to take large bags of empty cans along the way; apparently she wanted to give them to someone in Akhaltsikhe. Without waiting for a positive answer, she began placing trunks around the minibus, and so that they would not break, she handed them to us and our fellow traveler. The driver interrupted this whole process and, amid loud joint bickering, forced the woman to take the cans back.
In a word, we didn’t have to get bored on the minibus. What was worth it was that before each overtaking our driver began to cross himself. At such moments you think about the frailty of life and how everything depends on chance.
Thank God our trip went well. A taxi took us from the Akhaltsikhe bus station to our hotel, booked in Russia through booking, for three lari.
Hotel Almi, Akhaltsikhe.
We liked Hotel Almi, Akhaltsikhe very much, and not only because my birthday fell on the days of my stay at the hotel and the friendly hotel staff made me a real holiday with songs, dances and fireworks:
But also because Hotel Almi is one of best places in Akhaltsikhe!
The furnishings and renovations are new, tasteful, the cleaning is top notch, there is a beautiful view of the fortress from the windows.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. They take place in a beautiful local area.
You can have lunch or dinner at any time (be sure to order the fried fish), the menu is varied, the food is simply to die for. Only hotel guests eat in the restaurant, and since there are only a few rooms, the service is almost individual. So we dined twice in splendid isolation.
Very good value for money. If you want to enjoy excellent service and a family environment, this is the place for you!!! Once again, many thanks to the friendly Almi family for our vacation!!!
One of the advantages of Hotel Almi is its location. It is located between two streets: Kostava (the main street of the city) and Natenadze. The streets run parallel to each other, then unite into one and lead to the main attraction of Akhaltsikhe - the Rabat fortress.
The distance from the hotel to the fortress, if you walk along Kostava Street, is only one and a half kilometers, and along the way there are many attractions of Akhaltsikhe, so you won’t be bored. Let's go for a walk around Akhaltsikhe!
Since we had several walks along this route: both during the day and in the evening, there will be photos of Akhaltsikhe: both during the day and in the evening.
Map of Akhaltsikhe.
Before I begin the story about the walk around the city, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the map of our route.
Sights of Akhaltsikhe.
Thanks to Saakashvili, a global reconstruction was carried out in Akhaltsikhe at the beginning of the 21st century, which solemnly ended on August 17, 2012 in the renovated Rabat fortress. Thanks to the reconstruction, roads were repaired, new administrative buildings, supermarkets, hotels were built, and parks were put in order.
The next street that is worth paying attention to is Ladze Street. It leads straight to the Armenian Catholic church. The temple is unusual in that it is Catholic. Construction of the Church of the Holy Sign on this site began in the 15th – 16th centuries, but by 19th century it was completely destroyed. At the expense of the Armenian Vardan, the temple was rebuilt in 1861. During Soviet times it was used as a theater, as evidenced by the painted walls and the rest of the stage inside the temple.
Tamaroba.
The main holiday of Akhaltsikhe – Tamaroba passes May 14 on the day of remembrance of the holy Queen Tamara. The residents of Akhaltsikhe have a special relationship with Tamara, so the holiday is celebrated on a grand scale.
The special relationship is confirmed by the main monument of Akhaltsikhe, dedicated to the queen. The monument to Tamara, together with the new Church of the Ascension, is located at the intersection of Kostava and Didimamishvili streets.
Let's continue our way to the fortress. Along the road from Kostava Street, they move away to the right and then to the left. small streets with old buildings.
Newer and restored buildings are located along Kostava Street itself.
While walking we came across a car with these license plates. You can see funny license plates on cars in Georgia quite often. Under Saakashvili, it became possible to order all criminal numbers officially, without bribes, by paying a certain amount to the budget.
We were accompanied throughout the walk beautiful views to the Rabat fortress. And the closer we approached the fortress, the larger it became, turning into a huge stone giant.
We cross the bridge over the Potskhovi River, which separates Akhaltsikhe into a flat part and a mountainous part. The mountainous part of the city is older.
After crossing the bridge we find ourselves on the noisiest street in Akhaltsikhe - Tamarashvili. The federal highway to Turkey and the Akhaltsikhe-Batumi road pass along it.
Here is the new Palace of Justice of Akhaltsikhe, cars and railway stations, the main supermarket of the city Smart.
There are taxis constantly on duty in the square under the fortress, as well as at the bus station, with whom you can arrange trips to the sights of Samtskhe-Javakheti. So we visited the Green Monastery, Vardzia.
From the square along a winding road, along newly restored houses, we rise to the oldest part of Akhaltsikhe - to the Rabat fortress.
Akhaltsikhe fortress.
The main attraction of the Georgian city of Akhaltsikhe is the Rabat fortress. Before the city restoration, the fortress was in such a deplorable state that instead of restoration, the fortress had to be rebuilt. It turned out, in our opinion, very well, although, as they say local residents, almost nothing in common with the old fortress remains.
Inside, the fortress is divided into two parts.
Open: Tue-Sun 10:00-19:00, Mon. - day off. Entrance to its territory is paid - 7 GEL for an adult, 4 for a student, 1 for a child under 12 years old.
Rabat Akhaltsikhe.
Rabat means “fortified monastery” in Arabic. All Arab fortresses were called this way, and the name Rabat became attached to the Akhaltsikhe fortress as its own name. In the fortress, a lot has been done in the Arabic style, or rather even in the Moorish style. Those who have been to the city of Granada, Spain will agree with me. Rabat is very similar in style to the Spanish Alhambra.
There is also some similarity with the walls of Jerusalem,
and its Temple Mount, dominated by a gilded mosque.
Ahmediye Mosque.
Russian historian of the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-1829. Vasily Aleksandrovich Potto in his book “The Caucasian War” wrote in detail about the history and structure of the Akhmediye mosque. He noted that the Ahmedie Mosque, or, as it is also called by the name of its founder, the Ahmed Pasha Mosque, was built in the 16th century in the likeness of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.
Ahmed Pashi.
Potto, relying on historical data and legends, described the fate of Ahmed Pasha. Ahmed Pashi was from the noble Georgian family of Jakeli. During the conquest of his lands by the Ottoman Empire, he was forced to convert to Islam. Having built a mosque, in its center he ordered to establish a hill for himself, which was in violation of Islamic canons. According to the canons, only the Sultan had this right; Ahmed Pashi was found guilty of insulting the padishah and sentenced to strangulation. Ahmed Pashi personally carried out the sentence, and his subjects paid great honor to his body.
Potto devoted the fourth volume of his book to a description of the battles for Akhaltsikhe, where valiant Russian warriors defeated the Turks.
The crown of the Rabat fortress is Jakeli Castle, from the tower of which a stunning view of Akhaltsikhe and the fortress’s buildings opens.
Akhaltsikhe Museum.
At the foot of the castle you can go to the Samtskhe-Javakheti Museum, which displays archaeological finds and rarities. The advantage of the museum is that you do not need to buy a separate ticket to the museum, but the disadvantages include the lack of lighting in the rooms and the ban on photography.
In terms of time, visiting the Rabat fortress requires at least two hours and better time Choose to visit on weekdays, since many tourists from Tbilisi come on weekends. Our visit fell on a weekday and besides us, there were only a dozen people in the large territory of the fortress.
April 22nd, 2013
Just a couple of years ago I would have seriously thought about whether it was worth going here at all. Georgia is so rich in attractions that God knows what ruins of a fortress near the Turkish border could be safely discarded in favor of more popular places. Why haven’t I seen any fortresses? But last summer, restoration work ended in Akhaltsikhe, the white and red national flag flew over the main tower of the Rabat fortress, and from that moment on the city seemed to change its aura. Now, not visiting here means not seeing modern Georgia and not feeling the idea that the authorities are putting into restoring the country.
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Until recently, the city of Akhaltsikhe, the capital of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, had a reputation as a hopeless place. If in neighboring Borjomi there was a glimmer of life thanks to tourism and water extraction, here everything was completely silent. I will give a short excerpt from an article from 2005; you can read the entire article as a primer by following the link. Above all this devastation towered the ruins old fortress. I specifically tried to find photographs or reports on the Internet about the Rabat fortress before reconstruction, but there are almost none, and those that I managed to find do not say anything. This is an indicator that tourists did not come here. The most eloquent ones were satellite images on Google and Yandex. Here's what it all looked like:
That is, no way. There were walls in moderate condition, a couple of buildings and that was it. And this is what it looks like now, with only a small piece of the complex included in the frame:
There is no information about who made the decision to reconstruct the fortress and Akhaltsikhe itself. There are rumors that a native of the neighboring village of Ude, the former Minister of Internal Affairs (it was under his leadership that the well-known police reform took place), and now the head of the presidential party of the United National Movement, Vano Merabishvili, could have contributed to this. If this is so, then another plus for him. By and large, it wasn’t even a reconstruction – the fortress was almost rebuilt, adding various pseudo-historical details. Almost all the buildings, with the exception of the mosque, are new. The result is some kind of incredible mixture of styles, which at first plunges you into a slight stupor. Yes, it is now difficult to call this object historical; the fortress has rather turned into an attraction, but I can confidently say that this is one of the most photogenic places in Georgia. There's a good angle around every corner here. I clicked several hundred photographs, and later, seeing photographs of other authors on the Internet, I was convinced that this topic was not exhaustive here.
Work began in the fall of 2011 and was completed only in August 12th. The opening was celebrated on August 17 in the presence of the president. The guest of honor was Charles Aznavour, his father was born in Akhaltsikhe, and the graves of his grandfather and grandmother are located. In honor of the opening of the complex, the singer gave a big concert.
There is really no information about the history of the fortress; some sources say that it was founded in the 9th century, others mention the 12th century. From the 14th century to the 80s of the 16th century, Akhaltsikhe was the center of culture, politics and economics of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region. In 1579, the city came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire and from 1628 became the center of the Akhaltsikhe province. In 1829, following the Peace of Adrianople, the Akhaltsikhe fortress was annexed to the Russian Empire.
The fortress remembers several large and brutal battles, both during the Russian-Turkish War of 1828-29, and later in the Crimean War of 1853-56. To appreciate the scale of the massacres that took place there, it is enough to look at the painting by Y. Sukhodolsky “Storm of the Akhaltsykh fortress on August 15, 1828.” (The surviving mosque is in the picture, by the way.)
It’s no wonder that during restoration work a lot of skulls and cannonballs were found here. Where is all this interesting?
The territory of the complex was divided into two parts, the first contains boutiques, tourist centre, cafes. This part is free, and entry to the second half, where you can climb to the very top high tower fortress, visit the mosque and museum, it costs money and it seems not even small by local standards. The first time I came here the weather was not very good, and I decided to postpone the paid half until better times. On my second visit, the weather turned bad just while I was in the fortress... We move on to the paid part.
The purposes of some structures here are simply not clear:
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Let's take a look at the Ahmadiye Mosque:
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It's empty inside. I was impressed by the domed brick ceiling.
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Recently, serious passions flared up around the mosque. The Turkish side asked to remove stone steles with crosses outside the mosque. Part of society took this request painfully.
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A nice new-built church built into the wall:
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Inside there is a little more than nothing:
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A very beautiful carved gazebo with a fountain inside:
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Swimming pools - small and large, old and new:
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22. It looks like they were going to build a hotel here, if this is the same place, then the other day there was information that the hotel was operational:
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Small but stylish historical Museum you can visit right before climbing to the very top main tower. The museum is not bad, but they don’t allow you to take photographs there. I took one illegal shot:
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Young visitors:
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Let's climb the bastions, because, as you know, best view- view from above.
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29. View of the free half of the complex:
Let's go to the very top:
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And we look at the entire fortress:
31. The T-shaped building below is a museum:
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And on the opposite (western) side there is an impregnable wall and a gorge through which an aqueduct is thrown.
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From the fortress wall there is a wonderful view of the city:
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It is clear from the new roofs that part of the city also came under restoration.
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Actually, Rabat - if I understood correctly - is the name of the old part of the city, in which the fortress is located. Over time, the fortress itself began to be called that. The house was done very well, it’s a joy to the eyes, bravo!
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Now let's zoom in a little. This is what the entrance to the city center looks like from Borjomi, this is Tamarashvili Street. The photo shows the Public Register building, Vissol gas station and Police.
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A lot of Armenians live in Akhaltsikhe. From the fortress you can clearly see the Armenian Church of Surb Nshan (1862) located on a hill in the Marda quarter.
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New church and monument to Queen Tamara. Since the region developed greatly during her reign (for example, the Vardzia cave complex was built), there is a possibility that the fortress was also founded during that period. Perhaps that is why the national holiday Tamaroba, dedicated to the queen, is celebrated here on a special scale.
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Now let's go down to the city.
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Past the restored houses on the street leading to the fortress:
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Let's take a closer look at Tamara the Great:
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Let's appreciate the outlandish foreign architecture:
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The railway station (under restoration) and the monument to those killed in the Second World War opposite the House of Justice (Public Register). They say that now there are no trains to Akhaltsikhe...
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The actual center of the city is located on a slight hill between the streets of Shota Rustaveli and Merab Kostava. Despite the fact that the center is small, for a city with a population of 20,000 people it is quite cozy and beautiful.
49. View from Kostava Street to the Rabat Fortress:
50. Monument to Shota Rustaveli:
In the very center:
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53. Cafe for the cool:
54. Cafe for the simple:
55. Library:
Well, I’m not me if I don’t add a fly in the ointment. Outside the front part the city looks very shabby. I even had a rough association with the old Moskvich that came into my frame. It is barely alive, rusty and barely drives, but it has retained intact a rare collectible item - a plastic flag on the MZMA emblem.
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57. Private house in the very center of the city:
58. Private house on the outskirts of the city:
Akhaltsikhe is a city that is very convenient to use as a base or springboard for exploring the surrounding area. There is inexpensive but very good accommodation, tasty and cheap food in restaurants, very tasty baked goods in bakeries and besides there is practically nothing to see.
It feels like the city is gradually dying without tourists. Many shops and restaurants are closed, and there are not many people on the streets either. This is confirmed by statistics: if in 2014 the city’s population exceeded 20,000 people, now it barely reaches 14,000.
What sights to see in Akhaltsikhe
The city itself gives the impression of a small rural regional center, which in essence it is. There is a central street with a park, several unremarkable churches, abandoned sulfur baths and, for the sake of visiting which they come to this town.
There are tourists in the city, but not many of them. Mostly travelers stay here for 2-3 days to relax a little, see the surrounding area.
The administrative buildings of Akhaltsikhe also seemed interesting to us. They were built rather modestly, but with a pretense of architectural style:
Ascension Cathedral and monument to Queen Tamara in the center of Akhaltsikhe
In the center of the city, on a small square, there is a rather interesting Ascension Cathedral. It was built quite recently, but is considered the main one in the city. We invite you to get acquainted with the cathedral with the help of our short photo tour:
Rabat Fortress in Akhaltsikhe is the main attraction of the city
The fortress is located within walking distance from the city - you just need to cross the river on a convenient bridge and walk a little. You can get to the fortress in literally half an hour.
You should definitely visit the fortress - it is very interesting. You can climb every tower, you can enter almost every building. It took us about 3.5 hours to explore Rabat and we don’t regret the time spent one bit.
Since we already have a very detailed one, so as not to repeat ourselves, we will just add a few juicy photos:
The Rabat Fortress was reconstructed in 2012. Before this, there were ruins here that were of interest to historians, but not tourists. Now it’s the other way around. There is little historical left in the fortress, but you can climb every tower or wall. Even to the very, very top.
Of course, a few photographs cannot convey even 10% of what is in the Rabat fortress. Despite the fact that it was practically rebuilt in 2012, it is definitely worth a visit - it is one of the best tourist sites in this region.
Where can you go from Akhaltsikhe and what interesting attractions are nearby?
As we have already said, it is convenient to choose Akhaltsikhe as a base and travel from here to see the sights and visit expensive resorts like Borjomi. This makes it both cheaper and more convenient. Let's try to list the key attractions that can be visited from Akhaltsikhe.
Vardzia and the surrounding area - a brief description of the excursion from Akhaltsikhe
We consider one of the main excursions that you can organize for yourself from Akhaltsikhe to be a visit to the immediate surroundings - and. The place is very interesting and unlike any attraction we have visited before.
Our excursion took approximately 6 hours. During this time, we managed to visit not only Vardzia, but also the immediate surroundings. Let's see how it was:
Safar Church - is it worth going?
We were also offered to go to the Safar church (in another transcription Sapara). Was worth the trip 20 lari GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
20 lari = 6.62 euros;
20 lari = 7.6 dollars;
20 lari = 504.4 rubles;
20 lari = 212.8 hryvnia;
20 lari = 17 Belarusian rubles.
, the monastery is located 10 kilometers from the city. According to knowledgeable people, the monastery is quite interesting, recently revived again. It contains ancient frescoes that are worth seeing.
The road to the monastery will be no less interesting - you will encounter many picturesque mountain landscapes. If you haven’t visited or visited Svaneti, it’s definitely worth visiting at least Sapara.
To Borjomi from Akhaltsikhe - how much it costs and how to get there
If you wish, you can travel from Akhaltsikhe to Borjomi. They offered to take us round-trip by taxi for 50-60 GEL GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
50 lari = 16.55 euros;
50 lari = 19 dollars;
50 lari = 1261 rubles;
50 lari = 532 hryvnia;
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate. round trip from morning to evening. The minibus costs everything 4 lari GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
4 lari = 1.32 euros;
4 lari = 1.52 dollars;
4 lari = 100.88 rubles;
4 lari = 42.56 hryvnia;
4 lari = 3.4 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate. per person and goes quite often. .
In principle, the option is very interesting, because housing in Akhaltsikhe costs 2-3 times cheaper than in Borjomi. If we weren't so tired, we would definitely go.
Briefly about prices in Akhaltsikhe: how much food and groceries cost in the supermarket
We have a separate and very detailed article about food prices in Akhaltsikhe. There are exact prices, photos and a map of the restaurants, cafes and shops we recommend.
Here we are only general outline Let's compare this city with other resorts in Georgia.
Note to tourists
Life in the city begins around 10-11 am.
Until then, most shops and cafes are closed. Only a few guesthouse canteens and bread bakeries are open. Even buying is problematic.
The situation is similar with excursions - taxi drivers usually agree to pick you up at 10 o’clock, and arrive at about half past ten.
If interesting: food prices in Akhaltsikhe. Restaurants, supermarkets and bakeries.
Currency exchange in Akhaltsikhe: profitable or not?
Changing currency in Akhaltsikhe is not profitable. There are literally several exchangers here (we saw only one in the center), and therefore the rate is very unfavorable. If before this you will be in , or , we advise you to change money there.
Eating in Akhaltsikhe restaurants - how much can you eat for?
It is worth noting that finding a decent cafe in Akhaltsikhe is not so easy. As soon as you move just a few streets away from the center or fortress, all the establishments turn into pubs or disappear completely. Even in the very center, cafes are open from about 10-11 o’clock, and many are completely closed. And all this in the summer, at the height of the tourist season!
But there are also positive aspects to this - eating in a restaurant, cafe or canteen in Akhaltsikhe is very cheap and tasty. We have never paid more for a full meal 30 lari GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
30 lari = 9.93 euros;
30 lari = 11.4 dollars;
30 lari = 756.6 rubles;
30 lari = 319.2 hryvnia;
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate.. If you need to save money, you can eat normally for half this amount.
It is worth saying that calling local establishments restaurants is only a stretch. The dishes and furniture are very old. But at the same time, the staff is friendly and the food is delicious.
Supermarkets and bakeries in Akhaltsikhe - what and how much they cost
We bought this flatbread here for 70 tetri. It was still hot and delicious, straight from the oven. By the time we reached Rabat, we ate it whole. Grocery stores and supermarkets in Akhaltsikhe are very similar to typical rural shops. The selection is modest, the goods are not very fresh, and flies crawl on open boxes of cookies or fruit. Prices are approximately the same as in Batumi or Tbilisi. Some things are noticeably more expensive, some things are a little cheaper.
In any Georgian city there are several bakeries where they prepare bread, khachapuri and other pastries. Akhaltsikhe was no exception. If compared with or, then baked goods in Akhaltsikhe are a quarter cheaper and noticeably tastier.
For example, Georgian bread (shoti) costs 70 tetri GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
0.7 lari = 0.23 euros;
0.7 lari = 0.27 dollars;
0.7 lari = 17.65 rubles;
0.7 lari = 7.45 hryvnia;
0.7 lari = 0.6 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate.. It is served straight from the oven, and the taste is the best we have tried in Georgia. We constantly saw locals carrying home 4 or even 6 of these flatbreads.
Detailed information: article about how much baked goods and other products cost in Akhaltsikhe with exact prices.
Other stores in Akhaltsikhe: is it worth buying clothes or equipment here?
It’s clearly not worth buying clothes and equipment in Akhaltsikhe. And the choice is very modest, and the prices are quite high. For example, a 32 GB camera card costs 50-60 GEL GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
50 lari = 16.55 euros;
50 lari = 19 dollars;
50 lari = 1261 rubles;
50 lari = 532 hryvnia;
50 lari = 42.5 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate. against 30
GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
30 lari = 9.93 euros;
30 lari = 11.4 dollars;
30 lari = 756.6 rubles;
30 lari = 319.2 hryvnia;
30 lari = 25.5 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate. in Batumi or Tbilisi.
The situation is very similar with clothes, shoes or souvenirs - there is simply nothing to choose from.
How to get to Akhaltsikhe from Tbilisi or Batumi?
The easiest way to get to Akhaltsikhe is by bus or minibus. Taking a taxi will obviously be expensive, but by rail everything is complicated - from time to time a message with Akhaltsikhe is opened, but at the time of writing this article and at the time of our trip passenger trains did not go to Akhaltsikhe.
How to get to Akhaltsikhe from Tbilisi
Where to live in Akhaltsikhe? Our selection of hotels and good guesthouses
Housing in the private sector is very well developed in Akhaltsikhe. Whenever you arrive, accommodation will be 100% available. Another question is how much it will cost and what quality it will be. We ourselves lived in a small but cozy one.
To make it easier for you to navigate, we offer a selection of the most popular hotels and guesthouses (here they are about the same thing) in Akhaltsikhe.
Map of attractions and useful places in Akhaltsikhe
On this map we tried to display the most interesting sights in the city of Akhaltsikhe and its surroundings. Additionally, we noted the housing, restaurants and shops that we personally checked. To view on the map interesting places in the city of Akhaltsikhe - you need to zoom in on the upper left group of icons.
By the way, any photo of an attraction on the map can be enlarged simply by clicking on it with the mouse. For example, by clicking on the image of Central Park you can see as many as 4 photos of nearby buildings.
Detailed video about Akhaltsikhe and its surroundings
Not everyone likes to read long texts. Sometimes it is much better to see once than to read 10 times. It is for such people that we have prepared a detailed video with a story about Akhaltsikhe, fortresses and rock monasteries and Vanis Kvabebi.
Address: Akhaltsikhe
Kostava St, Akhaltsikhe, Georgia
Akhaltsikhe is a city located in the south of Georgia in the valley of the Potskhovis-Tskali River. The name of the city comes from the Georgian “akhali tsikhe”, which means “new fortress”. The population of Akhaltsikhe is 19 thousand inhabitants.
Geographical position
The city is the regional center of the Akhaltsikhe municipality and the administrative center historical region(mkhare) Samtskhe-Javakheti. The height above sea level is almost 100 meters. Not far from Akhaltsikhe lies the Georgian border with Turkey. An important highway from Tbilisi to Batumi runs through the city.
Akhaltsikhe on the map of Georgia
Akhaltsikhe is the most Big City in this region. It is divided into two parts: ancient city, located on a hill, and new area standing on the plain.
Climate and weather
The climate of Akhaltsikhe is subtropical. Winters here are moderately cold, but not harsh. Little snow falls. average temperature January is -7ºС. Summer is warm and dry. The average temperature in July is 18ºС.
It rains most often in May and June. On average, 600-800 mm of precipitation falls annually.
Attractions
The main attraction of the city is, or, as it is otherwise called, the “Rabat Fortress”. This is a huge medieval fortress, its length is 380 meters and its width is 150 meters. Together with the adjacent territory, the fortress covers an area of 7 hectares. It consists of an upper and lower part, which are separated by a stone wall.
Akhaltsikhe fortress (Rabat fortress)
The upper part of the fortress represents the historical heritage of the city. The Samtskhe-Javakheti Region Museum was built here; Jakeli Castle (its climbable tower is the most high point cities); Ahmediye Mosque, an Orthodox church with a bell tower; gazebo with beautiful fountain and an amphitheater.
Akhaltsikhe fortress. View from above
On the lower floor of the fortress there are service facilities for tourists: the Rabat Hotel, several cafes and sales points mineral water, wine shop"Hareba", information center and wedding palace.
Another historical monument is. It was built in the 16th century on the territory of the Rabat fortress. Named after its founder Ahmed Pasha, whose fate was very tragic. When the mosque was built, Ahmed Pashi ordered to arrange a place for himself at a height in it. This was contrary to the canons of Islam, and for this Ahmed Pashi was sentenced to death.
View of the Akhmediye Mosque and Akhaltsikhe Fortress
In 2011-2012 the mosque was restored. Its walls are made of hewn stone, connected by copper hoops. The top of the mosque is decorated with a beautiful gilded dome.
The gilded dome makes the Ahmediye Mosque very similar to the Omar Mosque in Jerusalem.
Ahmediye Mosque
Not far from the fortress is located Temple of the Armenian Catholic Church - Surb Nshan, built in the XV-XVI centuries. In the past, the temple probably served as a place for theatrical performances, as evidenced by the surviving stage and paint on the walls. The temple houses a variety of icons from all times: from great works of art to newspaper clippings.
Temple of the Armenian Catholic Church – Surb Nshan
How to get there
Akhaltsikhe can be reached by bus from all major cities Georgia: Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Gori, Borjomi, etc. From Tbilisi buses run from 6 am to 7 pm every hour, the fare costs 12 GEL. There are two flights a day from Kutaisi, the cost is 12 GEL. There are also two flights a day from Batumi, the cost is 20 GEL.
There are direct bus routes from Armenia to Akhaltsikhe. One bus per day goes from Yerevan (cost – 25 GEL) and one from Gyumri (cost – 20 GEL).
Hotels
There are few hotels in Akhaltsikhe, but they are all modern, neat and inexpensive (when compared with Tbilisi).
The most prestigious hotel in the city is “Rabati”, located in the fortress of the same name. A single room here costs $55, and a suite costs $140 per night.
Hotel Lomsia is modern and very beautiful. Price single room here is $45, and for luxury apartments – $140.
Hotel Lomsia
If you need a budget option, then the Prestige Hotel would be an excellent choice. The cost of a single room is about $17, and a deluxe room is $35 per night.
The most popular guesthouses in Akhaltsikhe are “Popular” and “Edelweiss”. The cost of a double room here is about $20 per night.
Want to save money while traveling? Write to us! The Viva-Georgia project was created in order to make holidays in Georgia popular and affordable, so we provide discounts from 5 to 25% on and help you rent the best.
Akhaltsikhe is beautiful city with a thousand-year history, storing a large collection of cultural monuments.
Do you want to come here? The Viva-Georgia team will organize an excursion or tour for you, create the optimal travel route and provide any other assistance during the trip.
In a mountainous area, on the very bank of the picturesque Potskhovi River, surrounded by majestic ridges, lies the city of Akhaltsikhe. A small settlement (about 18 thousand people) is the center of the amazing region of Georgia - Samtskhe-Javakheti. That's what they call it southern part state, reminiscent of the ancient “island” that attracts tourists so much. And it’s not surprising that when you come to this region, you are faced with a rich heritage different nations. The southern border of Javakheti is Armenia and Turkey, the western border is Adjara, and the eastern border is Kvemo Kartli.
Historical reference
The “fate” of Akhaltsikhe is very dramatic; for many centuries, bloody wars flared up here, the settlement came under the authority of different states. Previously, the city was called Lomisia and was the possession of the famous princely family of Jakeli (900). Militant members of the clan constantly provoked armed conflicts, trying to become independent from the central government.
But Tamara (Queen of Georgia) ended the conflict by pacifying the warring princes and transferring the city into the possession of the same family, but of another line, Jakeli. The famous commander (he was canonized) Shalva Akhaltsikheli was born into this family.
For about 300 years, the settlement was the capital of the Principality of Samtskhe, which declared its independence. But at the end of the 16th century, the Turks conquered the city and ruled in these areas for a long time. In 1828, the settlement was besieged by the Russian army, which expelled the invaders. In the 19th century, Jews and Armenians began to actively populate the city. 1918 was marked for Akhaltsikhe by an attack by the Turkish army, which held the city for several months.
–memory of centuries
The main attraction of the city, located on a hill in the central part of the settlement. The lower part of the fortification is a public area where you can explore the beauty of the structure, admire the towers and huge walls. The visit is free.
In the lower part there is a good hotel “Rabat”, an overnight stay will cost 50 lari ($18.5). There is an opportunity to visit the KTW wine store, there is an excellent selection of drinks.
The upper part of the fortress is a museum area; a fascinating excursion costs 7 lari ($2.59). The lower part of the fortress can be visited around the clock and free of charge, the upper part is from 10.00 to 19.00, and the museum is open until 18.00.
Tourist information office
It is located directly on the territory of the Rabat fortress. Address: st. Kharisshirashvili, 1. You will always be greeted by a friendly manager, he will willingly share maps of the city, sell tickets to the museum part of the fortification, and tell you the location of other attractions of Akhaltsikhe.
Georgian Catholic monastery
The northern part of the city is “guarded” by a mountain whose height reaches 1120m. This natural fortification is called the Northern Heights. You can get there by taxi along a dirt road. Drivers will be happy to deliver you for 5 GEL ($1.85), from the center it’s literally a 15-minute drive. The mountain looks very picturesque, it is planted with trees, you can have a picnic and admire the city from above.
The main attraction is the Georgian Catholic Monastery. The temple building was built almost at the same height as the Rabat fortification, which predetermined its fate. In 1828, bloody battles broke out here between the Turks and Russians, and the monastery was practically destroyed. Today, on the site of the old building, a new monastery in the Benedictine style, and about ancient heritage reminiscent of gravestones in the courtyard with amazing ornaments. The Turkish bastion was almost completely wiped off the face of the earth, and a new building was built in its place. Visiting the site is free.
Armenian temple
Another temple is clearly visible from the northern height. It is badly destroyed, there is information that it belonged to the Armenians, but its name has not been precisely established. It was probably built in the 18th century. Today only the walls remain temple complex, gable roof, semicircular vault of the church made of wood. Nearby there is a small bell tower (west side), a wooden dome. Ancient temple stands on the slope of the city's Eastern ravine. You can admire Akhaltsikhe and the Northern Heights; in winter there is a stunning view of the snow-capped Turkish ridges.
You need to get there on foot - from the Rabat fortress, move to Kazbegi Street, completely overcome it, and then follow the dirt road up. The walk will take about 1 hour. The visit is free.
Church of St. Marina (Marine)
This church is located to the west of the fortification on a high hill. The Orthodox church was erected at the end of the 19th century on the site of an older religious building. Appearance buildings are not very attractive. Tourists are more interested in the shrine - fragments of the relics of Marine, which are preserved here. The decoration of the church is not rich, but elegant, the walls are painted with icons. Nearby there is a high bell tower. Although the temple is active, it is often closed to visitors (it is free). You can get there on foot from the fortress, moving to the west of the city, in about 30 - 40 minutes.
Ruins of Turkish baths
Moving from the fortress to the northwest and not reaching the Catholic monastery, you can see the “legacy” of the Turkish conquerors - the famous baths. Today they are just large gray domes that rise above the ground. The 2 brick half-vaults resemble a single building with the facade, and there is a hint of a pre-existing temple structure. Information reached us that the baths were built right on the site of the Christian church (on the foundation) from its rubble. The area nearby is almost overgrown with grass, but the Akhaltsikhe authorities plan to restore the buildings and open a museum here. Today the visit is free.
Jewish Quarter (Akhaltsikhe)
This is a small area, which is lost in the old part of the settlement behind its Eastern ravine. Many Jews used to live here, but today they have practically moved out, “giving up” the quarter to the Armenians. Of interest to tourists are the old synagogues (there are 2 of them)
Akhaltsikhe Old Synagogue - erected under the Turks in the 1740s. You should definitely visit this ancient monument of Akhaltsikhe and admire the architecture. The synagogue is closed, inspection is free. Restoration and opening of the museum is planned. How to get there - move from the fortress along Guramishvili Street to the east. To the left of this street the Jewish quarter begins. Not far from the old building, if you move to the south, a second synagogue was erected (in 1865), it is still in operation today, visiting is free.
If you want to see the old Jewish cemetery– move north from the synagogues, it is located immediately behind the Armenian cemetery. True, it is difficult to penetrate and see the monuments - Jewish burial sites are surrounded by a large high fence, and the gates are almost always closed. You'll have to climb over the walls, but it's worth it - huge sarcophagi, "stone chests", beautiful monuments.
Queen Tamara–symbol of Georgia
And, of course, in Akhaltsikhe there is a monument and temple dedicated to this cult personality. The queen did a lot for the ancient state and the settlement in particular. It was she who handed over the city to the Jakeli family, who were able to resist many invaders.
The Temple of Queen Tamara (built in 2009 - 2010) is a small monumental building in light colors. The decoration of the church is restrained; the iconostasis in the center of the church deserves special attention. The altar shimmers with gold, on the walls there are traditional paintings depicting Tamara and other important people of Georgia. In front of the temple there is a huge monument to the Queen. She sits on a throne, holding a symbol of power. Both objects are located at the address: st. Kostava (literally 500 m from the center and the fortress).
Sapara Monastery–sights of Georgia
If you come to Akhaltsikhe, be sure to visit this amazing temple complex. It is located just 10 km from the center of the settlement. Several buildings have been preserved on the territory of the monastery. The oldest is the Church of the Assumption (built in the 10th century). It is decorated with ancient columns. Nearby is a domed temple from the 13th century. Moving along the hillside you can see the fortification; 3 towers and a low stone wall have been preserved. The lower part of the slope is crowned with the ruins of ancient cells; they were carved right into the rock and framed with stones.
Nearby is the largest temple of the complex - the Church of St. Saba (13th century). Two more small ones were erected near the main building. It’s interesting, but all the churches have heavy stone slabs instead of roofs. The main dome over the bell tower was also constructed.
It’s better to get there by taxi; the trip will cost about 25 lari ($9.25). There are no direct buses from the bus station; sometimes tourists hire a minibus here for excursions (about 3 GEL ($1.11) per person).
But there is another option - a hike. From the city center you need to walk about 2 km, moving along Rustaveli Street (east direction). At the end of it there is a turn to the village of Khreli (though there are no signs), but from the road you will see the village. You will have to climb steeply up a dirt road onto a large slope. After covering 2.5 km, you will reach a picturesque pass, where you can admire the beautiful mountains and a low ridge. The pass is an excellent platform that will allow you to see a stunning panorama of the surrounding area of the city and Akhaltsikhe itself. Immediately beyond the pass is the village of Khreli, where you can drink very tasty water from the source and enjoy clean air and the aroma of pine forest. From the village to the temple complex you need to walk another 3 km - the road is flat, without climbs. The tour is free.
Finding your way around the city
The Potskhovi (a tributary of the mighty Kura) flows through the settlement. This waterway and busy highway divided Akhaltsikhe into two large areas. The left bank is the hilly northern part of the settlement and the Right Bank is the southern terrain, without sharp changes.
The main landmark of the city is the fortification of Rabat. There is a small area near it, which is a kind of interchange for transport.
The main road is st. Tamarashvili, directly under the fortress hill, there is a bus station on it. From the square you can turn under the bridge (railroad) and you find yourself on the mountain at the entrance to the fortress. You need to get to the right bank - we cross the Potskhovi Bridge and find ourselves on Kostava Street - a 15-minute walk. Along the route you will come across a small public garden, a monument to Queen Tamara and a temple of the same name. Go around the church on the left, and you are on Didimamishvili Street, the street runs parallel to it. Rustaveli (from it you can go to Vardzia).
If you go straight along Kostava Street and turn left, you can get to Nathanadze Street, after 100 meters you will come across a post office, and behind it there will be a park.
Walking around the park you can admire the Drama Theater, behind which there is a police building (Rustaveli Street).
Moving from the square along the street. Kostava you can walk 100m and turn right onto Ladze Street - you will get to the local market. There is always a lively atmosphere here, a lot of dairy products, cheeses, wines, clothes and souvenirs are sold. You can have a great bargain; sellers are happy to communicate with tourists and offer excellent discounts, especially on seasonal fruits and vegetables. After walking another 350 m along this street, you will reach the Armenian temple.
After a pleasant excursion, take care of an overnight stay - there are few hotels and guest houses in Akhaltsikhe, but they are quite worthy of the attention of guests. The price range is from 50 to 300 GEL per room ($18.5 – 111).
When to come to Akhaltsikhe?
The best time to travel is spring. Everything is blooming, and the tops of the mountains are buried in snow caps. There is little rainfall in this area, but the winds often blow from the north, chilling to the bones. In April - May the weather is excellent, the temperature already reaches 18-25 C. You can admire the huge poppy fields that lie right on the slopes of the mountains.
It is hot in summer, sometimes in July the temperature is set at 30-35C, and due to high humidity it feels as high as 45C. By the end of August, excursions become comfortable, there is no heat, you can safely climb hills and mountains, the temperature stays within 25-28 C.
Magnificent pictures appear before the eye in autumn - the mountains are painted in shades of yellow and red, and green spruce trees complement the landscape. A light haze envelops the ridges, and the smells of the forest are in the air. Akhaltsikhe is a very clean and hospitable city, people are easy to get in touch with and are ready to explain everything even if they don’t speak Russian. A tourist feature is that there are very few objects here that you have to pay to visit. So you can save a lot of money. The optimal length of stay is 2–3 days, you will have time to see the city and its surroundings.
How to get to Akhaltsikhe?
Akhaltsikhe on the map of Georgia.
