Akhaltsikhe Municipality
Akhaltsikhe: Rabati castle, Jaqeli and Ottoman heritage, Sapara monastery and the Mtkvari valley. History, tips and route ideas.
Akhaltsikhe Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
Akhaltsikhe Municipality lies in the west of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, in the Akhaltsikhe basin of southern Georgia, with the city of Akhaltsikhe — the regional centre — as its administrative centre, at about 1,030 m above sea level. The city stands on both banks of the Potskhovi River, a tributary of the Mtkvari. The municipality covers about 1,010 km² and borders Kharagauli and Borjomi to the north, Aspindza to the east, Adigeni to the west and Turkey to the south. Thermal and mineral springs rise at Uraveli and Gurkeli.
According to the municipality, the town is first mentioned in the 9th century under the name Lomsia. Its name, meaning “new fortress”, reflects its role as a stronghold of Samtskhe: from the 12th century it was rebuilt and fortified by the Jaqeli family, the rulers (atabegs) of Samtskhe, and it withstood Mongol sieges in the 13th–14th centuries. In 1579 Akhaltsikhe was taken by the Ottomans and from 1625 became the centre of an Ottoman province; it returned to Georgian lands when the Russian army captured it in 1828.
The symbol of the city is the fortress complex of Rabati, which combines Georgian, Ottoman and later architecture — a castle, mosque, palace, church and museum within mighty walls. It was extensively restored in 2011–2012 and today is one of the main tourist sites of southern Georgia. In the 20th century the region’s history was marked by the deportation of the Meskhetian population in November 1944.
About 10 km from the city, near the village of Ghrele, lies Sapara Monastery, one of the most important monasteries of Samtskhe: its Dormition church probably dates to the 10th century, and the Church of St Saba was built in the 13th century under Beka I Jaqeli and decorated with 14th-century murals. The monastery stands in a beautiful forested gorge above the valley.
For travellers, Akhaltsikhe is the natural base for exploring Samtskhe-Javakheti: spend a few hours in Rabati, visit Sapara, and continue to Vardzia, Khertvisi and the Javakheti lakes, or north to Borjomi. The city is also a crossroads on the route to the Vale–Türkgözü border crossing with Turkey.
FAQ
1) Where is Akhaltsikhe Municipality located?
In the west of Samtskhe-Javakheti, in the Akhaltsikhe basin, bordering Turkey.
2) What is the administrative centre?
The city of Akhaltsikhe, also the centre of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.
3) When is Akhaltsikhe first mentioned?
According to the municipality, in the 9th century under the name Lomsia.
4) Who were the Jaqeli?
The ruling family (atabegs) of Samtskhe, who fortified Akhaltsikhe from the 12th century.
5) When was Akhaltsikhe under Ottoman rule?
From 1579 until it was captured by the Russian army in 1828.
6) What is Rabati?
A fortress complex combining Georgian and Ottoman architecture, restored in 2011–2012.
7) What is Sapara Monastery?
A monastery about 10 km from Akhaltsikhe, with churches of the 10th and 13th centuries.
8) Which river flows through the city?
The Potskhovi, a tributary of the Mtkvari.
9) Are there thermal springs nearby?
Yes, at Uraveli and Gurkeli.
10) Where can I find official municipal information?
On the municipality’s official website.