Akhaltsikhe

Akhaltsikhe (Georgian phrasebook|Georgian: ახალციხე, "New Fortress") is a small city of about 50,000 and the capital of Samtskhe-Javakheti.

Introduction

Akhalcikhe,_old_city_general_view - Akhaltsikhe Castle The city has been around for at least 800 years and was a regional administrative center for the Islamic Ottomans from the sixteenth century up to the Russo-Turkish War. Until the twentieth century Akhaltsikhe was majority Armenian, but today, unlike most of the province, it is majority Georgian. It's a rather sleepy town, but its Old City is worth a visit and it's a great base for adventuring the surrounding areas, including Sapara Monastery and Khertvisi Fortress in the immediate vicinity.

Travel to Akhaltsikhe

By marshrutka

Marshrutkas run to Akhaltsikhe's main market/bus station from Tbilisi's Didube market, as well as from the bus stations in Kutaisi and Khashuri. From Kutaisi or Tbilisi, it's best to catch your ride early in the morning if you want to avoid finding another marshrutka upon arrival in Khashuri. But it's not terribly difficult to catch a marshrutka going between Akhaltsikhe and Khashuri before dinner time. There is at least one direct marshrutka from Batumi, leaving around 10:30 (or full), at the old bus station near the Batumi train station, cost 20 Lari and arrive at Akhaltsikhe around 16:00. There are few direct marshrutkas from Yerevan, Armenia, or several connections from Armenia when making a stopover in Akhalkalaki. There is also a daily connection from Gyumri, which starts at 10:00 (3.5 hr, 4,000 dram). From Borjomi 3 lari.

Travel by vehicle to Akhaltsikhe

The principal route to Akhaltsikhe runs from Georgia's main East-West highway (E60) at the spur in Khashuri leading to Borjomi. There's also a route from Batumi via Gorzerdzi pass (4WD needed, closed in winter, scenic views).

Getting around

GPS 41.64144|42.98789 lang=en|layer=W}} Most of the centre can be explored on foot, however the highway between Borjomi and Vardzia is about 2 kilometers east of the centre and 2.5-3 kilometers east of the castle.

Sightseeing Tips

• Akhaltsikhe Castle - Rabati fortress | 41.642891,42.97815 6 lari Rabati Castle - Akhalcikhe, old city general view - The highest point of the city and beautifully renovated, including a hotel and an old mosque.
• Amaghleba Church - ამაღლების ეკლესია | 41.640718,42.984025 - Last updated: 2022
• Old Train Station 41.644068,42.982585 - Beautifully renovated old train station with the Grand Palace Hotel inside.
• St. Marina Church A
• Synagogue Akhaltsikhe Synagogue 7 A

Surroundings

Sapara Monastery - Sapara Monastery, hidden in the mountain forests Sapara Monastery cupola - Sapara Monastery's cupola

• Sapara Monastery - საფარის მონასტერი | 41.602076,43.031047 About 10-12 kilometers outside of Akhaltsikhe up into the mountains. A round trip by taxi from Akhaltsikhe might cost 15-25 lari. - Sapara Monastery =საფარის მონასტერი The monastery was established in the tenth century, but the principal church, St. Sabas, was built sometime in the thirteenth century. Until the twentieth century and the monastery had been perfectly preserved, as its hidden location saved it from Ottoman discovery throughout the empire's three-century long control of southwestern Georgia. Alas and the Soviets found it and abused it in the usual soulless fashion, albeit not to the same extent as many other Georgian Orthodox establishments—the frescoed walls were not whitewashed and remain in good condition (mainly following a recent restoration). During a visit, make sure to climb up the nearby slopes towards a rocky outcropping to get lovely views over the monastery and the valleys in the distance. Also make sure not to use flash photography in the churches, unless you want to see some seriously angry monks. If you can make yourself understood, you can overnight in the monastery's chambers.

Khertvisi Fortress walls - The walls of Khertvisi Fortress

• Khertvisi Fortress - ხერთვისის ციხე | 41.479573,43.285681 - Khertvisi Kelyje link Akhaltsikheės The fortress looms over the village of Khertvisi. The outcrop was used as a fortress from the second century BC and was reputedly destroyed by Alexander the Great. The "modern" fortress, however, was built around the thirteenth-fourteenth centuries and saw fighting during the Islamic Ottoman invasion (and subsequent occupation) in the sixteenth century. The walls on the far side drop down a sheer cliff to the Mtkvari far below, so if you fancy a bout of vertigo, pull yourself up and look straight down.

Halal Restaurants

Please be informed that on some destination such as Akhaltsikhe we had no local Muslim that has researched some of the area. If you are a Muslim/Muslima and have been to Akhaltsikhe or would like to maintain the eHalal Guide to Akhaltsikhe, please contact us at guides@ehalal.io and email us your updates.

Where to stay

If you can make yourself understood, you can overnight in the Sapara Monastery's chambers, 10-12 kilometers outside of Akhaltsikhe.

• Shin Hotel 2 David and Konstantine St. 41.64191,42.99473 at Aspindza Street ☎ +995 365 22 12 30 - 60 to 80 lari Double/Twin. 20 lari Dorm bed It is a good 15 minutes walk from the train/bus station on the other side of central. Decent rooms with restaurant attached.
• Hotel Gino Wellness Rabati 41.642302,42.977514 ☎ +995 599 880924 From 250 lari Last updated: 2022Thit is the hotel right inside the castle.

Akhaltsikhe Halal Travel Guide

Inside Georgia

• Vardzia the cliff-side cave monastery, a former city, is the biggest reason to visit Akhaltsikhe and the region more generally. A round trip by taxi from Akhaltsikhe might cost about 60 lari.
• Akhalkalaki the center of Armenian culture in Georgia is nearby to the southwest, easily accessible via marshrutka from Akhaltsikhe.
• Borjomi every Soviet traveller’s favorite Georgian retreat, for its parks, Romanov palace and internationally famous natural mineral water.
• Khashuri an interesting small town with an abundance of hammocks.

Outside Georgia

• Armenia

There are two marshrutkas to Yerevan, Armenia, at 04:00 and 07:00 (35 lari). If you miss them, go to Akhalkalaki, from where marshrutkas leave to Yerevan almost every hour.

• Türkiye You can buy bus tickets to Türkiye from the central bus station. Ticket to Posof (city on the Turkish side) is US$10 and leaves at 14:30. If you are going to Kars/Ani and have a tight budget, hitching to Kars is a very easy and quick option and can be done in far less than a day. If you leave in the morning, hitching to the Turkish border or to Posof can be quicker than the bus. From the central bus station, ask for the road to the Turkish border (Turetskoĭ granitsy) and start flagging cars about 1 kilometers from the bus station down the road. The road will pass through the small town of Vale (note: although Vale does not appear to be on the route to Türkiye on the Georgian tourist maps found at the tourist information centres, it is indeed on the way). You will be able to walk across the border crossing.

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