Rabati Mosque | რაბათის მეჩეთი

The beautiful Rabati Mosque is located in Rabati Castle  in Akhaltsikhe in the Samtskhe region of Javakheti. It is located in the old town on a hill. Most guests who come to Akhaltsikhe visit the beautiful Rabathi Castle. The castle is a highlight of the region and attracts many visitors. Among other things, you can visit a mosque in the castle, which is known as the Ahmedie Mosque or simply Rabathi Mosque. This mosque is a complex and functioned with a religious school – Medresa as an important place of prayer for the local Muslim princes.

The mosque was built in 1752 by a local prince, Ahmed Pasha Jakeli, by Italian architects. These princely families had been the rulers of the region for centuries and were, of course, Christian. After the Ottomans conquered this part of Georgia, the princely families also had to change their faith and convert to Islam.

Turkish rule lasted here until the 1920s. At the beginning of the century, Russian and Georgian troops attempted to conquer the town and Rabati Castle. However, the second attempt 20 years later was successful and the Russian army conquered the castle. In September 1829, Turkey returned part of Akhaltsikhe to Russia with the Treaty of Adrianople and Akhaltsikhe became part of Georgia again. During Russian rule, the Orthodox Church of the Holy Navy was rebuilt.

The Rabati Mosque is one of the city’s sights alongside the Rabathi Castle. Today it only serves as a cultural monument and is visited by many people. The mosque is also interesting from the inside, where some old Georgian scripts can be seen. A small pool in front of the mosque offers the opportunity to take some nice photos. Admission to the mosque is paid at the entrance, where you can also book a guided tour in German.

On our short trip to Vardzia and photo tour through Georgia, “Golden Autumn in Georgia ’, you can visit this beautiful mosque.