Tbilisi's Great Synagogue

During our explorations of Tbilisi, we quickly visited the Great Synagogue, also known as the Georgian Synagogue, located in the middle of the old town.

This Orthodox Jewish synagogue has an interesting history. It was originally established when Georgian Jews from Akhaltsikhe migrated to Tbilisi in the late 19th century. They initially converted a house into a synagogue in 1877, which led to its nickname "synagogue of the people of Akhaltsikhe." After the original building was demolished due to disrepair in 1899, construction of the current structure began in 1904 and was completed in 1911.

Even during our short visit, I could appreciate the synagogue's distinctive architectural style, which combines Moorish Revival and Romanesque Revival elements. The building measures 24.5 meters long, 15 meters wide, and stands 14 meters tall, creating an impressive presence in the neighborhood.

The synagogue continues to serve as an active place of worship for Tbilisi's Jewish community and also houses a mikveh (ritual bath).

We also saw the Menorah in front of the synagogue and were moved by the numerous stickers Israeli visitors had placed on it. During the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, which has claimed many Israeli soldiers and citizens, a spontaneous memorial has formed. People have attached stickers bearing photos of those who have fallen or been killed, along with memory sentences or personal mottos. This impromptu memorial was a powerful and emotional reminder of the human cost of the conflict that unfortunately continues to this day.