Great Synagogue

Grand Synagogue of Tbilisi is the main center of the Old Town's Jewish community. The red-brick building was constructed in 1904-1913 in the historic Kvemo Kala district. Its facade is adorned with tall arched windows and decorative brickwork, while its architecture blends elements of European and Moorish styles popular in the construction of synagogues in the early 20th century.

The synagogue was built with funds from Jews hailing from Akhaltsikhe, which is why it is often called the Akhaltsikhe Synagogue. It arose on the site of an older prayer house that was demolished in the late 19th century. Georgia's Jewish community is considered one of the oldest in the world, tracing back more than two thousand years of history. Over many generations, Jewish residents lived in this quarter alongside Georgians, Armenians, and people of other ethnicities, shaping the multinational character of old Tbilisi.

Today the synagogue remains active. Inside are two prayer halls: a small lower one for daily services and the main sanctuary on the second floor, which is opened on Saturdays and holidays. The interior is decorated with frescoes of ornaments and Hebrew inscriptions, with the bimah (the podium for reading the Torah) in the center. Despite its impressive size, the building is virtually hidden among the dense historic fabric of the old town, remaining one of Tbilisi's most intriguing religious sights.