Akhaltsikhe (Rabati) Fortress (Region of Samtskhe-Javakheti)
Akhaltsikhe Fortress (Georgian: ახალციხის ციხე) or Rabati Fortress (Rabat) (Georgian: რაბათის ციხე). The historical castle includes all the cultural and architectural elements of the Middle Ages of Southern Georgia and consists of buildings from different periods. There are examples of Georgian, Turkish and Russian architecture. From one point of view, the fortress reflects the history of the country. The castle complex was the most important defensive structure of this region for centuries. The fortress was surrounded by three ramparts and connected to the surrounding area by an underground tunnel. It is located on the western outskirts and is visible from almost any point in the city. The history of the Rabati fortress goes back centuries, and no one can say exactly when the first fortification appeared. This military structure has seen many wars and conflicts, and keeps many secrets within its walls.
In the 12th century, the princely family of Jakeli (Georgian: ჯაყელი) built a new fortress here, and it became their family residence for 300 years. The fortress was called Akhaltsikhe (Georgian: ახალციხე), which means “New Fortress”. This name has been preserved to this day by the city that is located near its walls. Today, the Rabati fortress is a real cultural and historical complex on an area of about seven hectares. The territory of the fortress is divided into a lower modern part and an upper historical part. In the lower part there are shops, a cafe, a restaurant and a hotel. The upper part includes the Akhmediye Mosque (18th century), the Orthodox Church (19th century), the Jakeli ancestral castle, and a historical museum. The museum’s exposition presents the ancient history of Southern Georgia: stone products of the Neolithic era, bronze axes found in these areas, household items of the primitive era and other artifacts.
Akhaltsikhe City (Georgian: ქალაქი ახალციხე ), Akhaltsikhe Municipality (Georgian: ახალციხის მუნიციპალიტეტი).
