- Type
- Castle
- Origins
- 9th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Location
- Samtskhe–Javakheti, Georgia
- Commissioned by
- Guaram Mampali
- Coordinates
- 41.6429°, 42.9782°
History
A stronghold on the hill above the Potskhovi probably existed as early as the 9th century, and from the 13th century it was the seat of the Jaqeli family, atabegs of Samtskhe. In 1578 the Ottomans took Akhaltsikhe and for more than two centuries made it the capital of a province. In the 18th century the Ahmed Pasha Mosque and a madrasa were built here, and the fortress became a multicultural centre home to Georgians, Armenians, Turks and Jews. In 1828 it was captured by Russian troops under Ivan Paskevich. After years of neglect, an expensive reconstruction in 2011–2012 restored the complex to splendour, though conservationists still debate the result.
What to see
Behind the walls lies a whole complex: a mosque with a gilded dome, a madrasa, a minaret, the pasha's palace, a bathhouse, a Georgian church and watchtowers. Paths lead through terraced gardens up onto the walls, with views over the town and the river valley. The fortress houses the Samtskhe-Javakheti history museum, with archaeological finds and manuscripts. In the evening the complex is dramatically lit.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q16534749
Popularity: articles about this site in 24 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).