Akhaltsikhe

Akhaltsikhe is a city in South Georgia and the center of Akhaltsikhe Municipality (Samtskhe-Javakheti Region). It is in the Akhaltsikhe structural basin, on the Kvabliani River shore, and 207 kilometers away from Tbilisi. As of 2019, the population of Akhaltsikhe is around 40 000.

The sources first mention Akhaltsikhe in the 12th century. In the second half of the 13th century, the fortified city of Samtskhe belonged to Jaqeli, the Atabag of Samtskhe and remained under this family’s control until the 17th century. Akhaltsikhe was an important trade, cultural, and administrative center in Samtskhe (Upper Kartli). It was conquered by the Ottomans in 1578. In 1628, it became the center of the Akhaltsikhe Pashalik. In the 17th century, it was a major hub for the trade of captive Christians by the North Caucasian Lek feudal lords. In 1828, Russian General I. Paskevich’s troops captured it. In 1829, according to the Treaty of Adrianople, it became part of the Russian Empire. In November 1853, during the Crimean War, Russian-Georgian troops, under the command of General I. Andronikashvili, decisively defeated the Ottomans near Akhaltsikhe. In June 1918, the city was occupied by the Ottomans. On March 8, 1921, the 11th Red Army unit entered Akhaltiske.

The old part of Akhaltiskhe is called Rabati and contains a large fortification, which in the previous century belonged to the Atabags of Akhaltsikhe. There are numerous remains of churches, caravanserai (caravansaries), 18th-century baths, mosques, and other buildings. There is a church of St. Marine, reconstructed in 1865. Some decorated stones from the old building are incorporated into the newer one. Other churches were constructed in the 19th century. Akhaltsikhe also houses an Armenian church and a synagogue. The residential district of Akhaltsikhe on the right bank of the Kvabliani River was constructed only in the 19thcentury, when the city once again became part of Georgia. A bridge connecting both parts of the city was constructed in 1951. 

Nowadays, Akhaltsikhe is a great tourist destination. In 2018, around 71 000 foreign and 74 000 Georgian tourists visited the city. In 2016, Akhaltsikhe became a part of Newcastles of The World friendship alliance.

 

Literature: იხ. სტ-თან ახალციხის რაიონი.

G. Ushveridze

Sh. Sagharadze

D. Berdzenishvili

E. Bagrationi