The current religious and cultural center of the Jewish community. It is not only a place of worship, but also an architectural landmark, testifying to the rich history and cultural diversity of Batumi.
The Batumi synagogue, the only one in Adjara, is not only a functioning house of prayer for the Jewish community (about 70 people), but also an important cultural heritage site, which received this status in 2011. It attracts many tourists, especially from Israel, who want to touch the history and spirituality of this place.
The history of the synagogue began in 1899, when the Jewish diaspora approached Emperor Nicholas II with an unusual request: permission to build a temple at their own expense, where they could “pray to the one God for the Emperor to be granted a son – an heir to the throne.” Permission was granted, and construction began in 1900, ending with a grand opening in 1904. The names of the main donors were immortalized on a silver cup made for this event. The synagogue became the center of religious, social and cultural life of the city’s Jewish community.
However, in 1923, with the advent of Soviet power, the synagogue was closed, and its building was handed over to sports organizations for many years. Only in 1992 was the temple returned to the Jewish community, and in 1998, thanks to the support of the Adjara authorities, the building was restored, returning its original appearance and spiritual purpose.
Jcornelius / Wikimedia
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