Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia · Asia
Akhaltsikhe is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Vale, 1km from Rabati Castle.
Akhaltsikhe is in Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia, with about 17,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Vale, about 9 km away.
Akhaltsikhe (Georgian: ახალციხე [äχäɫt̪͡s̪ʰiχe̞]), formerly known as Lomsia (Georgian: ლომსია [ɫo̞ms̪iä]), is a city in Georgia's southwestern region (mkhare) of Samtskhe–Javakheti. It is the administrative center of the Akhaltsikhe Municipality and the Samtskhe–Javakheti region. In 2024, by census reports, the cityRead more
has a population of 17,287 people. The city lies at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters (3,280 ft) in the Akhaltsikhe Basin. It is situated on both banks of the small river Potskhovi (a left tributary of the Kura), which divides the city between the old city in the north and new in the south. The Georgian translation of Akhaltsikhe is "new fortress"; this is significant of the city's historical use and background as a fortified settlement, as well as existing as strategic stronghold in a heavily contested region of the Caucasus.
Starting from the 13th century, the city served as the seat for the House of Jaqeli ruling dynasty of Georgia as well as the capital of the Samtskhe-Saatabago principality. The Ottomans captured the city during the Ottoman-Safavid War in the 16th century and maintained authority over the city for nearly 250 years. In 1828, Russian forces recaptured the city from the Turks and formally incorporated it into the Russian Empire via the Treaty of Adrianople in 1829.
The 9th-century Akhaltsikhe Castle (Rabati), which recently underwent restorations, is located in the old part of the city. The castle represents the city's multicultural history, as it consists of an Orthodox church, a mosque, and a madrasa within its single walled enclosure. It remains as one of the main heritage sights of the region, alongside Vardzia, Khertvisi, Vale, Okrostsikhe and Zarzma.
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Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Akhaltsikhe.
Within an hour or so of Akhaltsikhe: Rabati Castle (1 km), Vardzia Cave Monastery (38 km), Goderdzi Pass (39 km).
The nearest famous roads are Goderdzi Pass and Georgian Military Highway.
Akhaltsikhe is in Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia, about 9 km from Vale.
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Places within a drive of Akhaltsikhe. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
3 notable places within an hour's drive.
castle
A fortress in Akhaltsikhe founded in the 9th century and rebuilt wholesale in 2011-12, where a mosque, minaret, Orthodox church and synagogue stand within one set of walls. Controversially over-restored, and undeniably striking.
1 km · about 5 min drive
ancient ruins
A spectacular 12th-century cave monastery complex carved into a cliff face with over 6,000 rooms spread across 13 stories above the Mtkvari River.
38 km · about 45 min drive
mountain pass
2,025 m pass on the old Batumi–Akhaltsikhe road through the green Adjarian mountains, linking subtropical coast to volcanic highlands past timber villages and a fledgling ski resort.
39 km · about 45 min drive
2 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
Other places to explore near Akhaltsikhe.
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