Akhaltsikhe synagogue, Jewish synagogue in Akhaltsikhe, Georgia

Akhaltsikhe synagogue is a place of worship built from stone with arched windows and a blend of Georgian and Jewish architectural elements. The building combines local building traditions with design features typical of Jewish religious spaces.

The synagogue was built in 1863, making it the oldest active synagogue in Georgia. In 1956 Soviet authorities confiscated the building and turned it into a house of culture. It reopened after the fall of the Soviet Union, but by 2004 there were no longer enough Jews in Akhaltsikhe for a minyan, and in the 2010s only two Jewish families remained.

The synagogue shows how Jewish residents maintained their faith and traditions in this city for generations. You can see how the interior is arranged for prayer and gatherings, with details that reflect the building's religious purpose.

You can reach it by walking through the old district of Akhaltsikhe along the main road. Local cultural organizations can arrange guided visits to help you understand the building and its significance.

The synagogue is considered the oldest still-active synagogue in Georgia. In 2016 the community marked 275 years since its founding and 153 years since its renovation, though the present building was erected in 1863. By the 2010s only two Jewish families remained in Akhaltsikhe.