Rabati Castle, Medieval fortress in Akhaltsikhe, Georgia.

Rabati is a sprawling fortress occupying a hilltop in Akhaltsikhe, spanning multiple hectares with four towers positioned across the site. The complex holds a church, mosque, synagogue, museum, and palace, each representing different periods and architectural approaches within the fortification walls.

Lomsia Castle was founded in the 9th century by Guaram Mampali, son of Ashot I. In 1579 the Jakeli princes surrendered Akhaltsikhe to the Ottomans and converted to Islam; in 1628 the city became the seat of a pashalik. Russian troops under General Paskevich took the fortress in August 1828 after defeating a 30,000-strong Turkish army.

The fortress demonstrates how different religious communities coexisted within its walls, with spaces dedicated to Christian worship, Islamic prayer, and Jewish tradition all present. Walking through these structures, visitors can see how these groups shared the same stone walls and daily life.

The site is easily accessible and can be explored at a leisurely pace over two to three hours depending on your interest in each building. Wear sturdy footwear as paths cross uneven terrain and include stone surfaces throughout the grounds.

Hacı Ahmed Pasha Jakeli built the mosque in 1772 on the foundations of Georgian Orthodox churches, modelling it on Constantinople's Hagia Sophia. It served as a mosque for 76 years until 1828, then in 1850 Emperor Nicholas I had it consecrated to the Virgin and it functioned as a church until 1920.