Octagonal minaret
In red brick.
Gerd Eichmann — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Interfase — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mostafameraji — CC BY-SA 4.0 · George Kvizhinadze from Tbilisi, Georgia — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Mostafameraji — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Giftzwerg 88 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Valen1988 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Levan Gokadze from Tbilisi, Georgia — CC BY-SA 2.0
The only surviving mosque in Tbilisi's Old Town, on Botanikuri Street at the foot of Narikala Fortress above the bath district, its octagonal red-brick minaret rising among painted wooden balconies. It bears witness to the Muslim presence in the city since the Arab conquest in the seventh century, when Tbilisi had many mosques. The Ottomans built the first mosque here in the early eighteenth century; Persian forces destroyed it in the 1740s, and the Italian architect Giovanni Scudieri rebuilt it between 1846 and 1851. In 1895 it was rebuilt again in its present red-brick form, funded by the Azerbaijani philanthropist Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, and it was restored in 1998. It is remarkable for bringing Sunni and Shia Muslims together in one congregation: once separated by a curtain, they have prayed side by side since 1996, and most worshippers are Tbilisi's Azerbaijanis. The building blends Neo-Gothic and Islamic elements, with arched windows and colourful decoration inside and out, and it fills for Friday prayers and the two Eids. Visiting is free and tourists come too, so non-worshippers should avoid prayer times. Dress modestly, women cover their hair, and everyone removes their shoes before entering. It is steps from the baths and the Leghvtakhevi waterfall.
In red brick.
Sunni and Shia side by side.
Inside and out.
Botanikuri Street at the foot of Narikala, bath district, Tbilisi
Abanotubani Sulphur BathsA historic quarter of Tbilisi's Old Town whose Georgian name means «bath distric1 minute walk
National Botanical Garden of GeorgiaA large botanical garden in the Tsavkisis-Tskali gorge on the southern slopes of1 minute walk
Narikala FortressAn ancient fortress crowning a steep hill above Tbilisi's Old Town and the Mtkva2 minutes walk
Metekhi ChurchA medieval stone church on the Metekhi Cliff above the left bank of the Mtkvari,4 minutes walk
Sioni CathedralThe Cathedral of the Dormition, known as the Tbilisi Sioni, stands on Sioni Stre6 minutes walkYes, tourists visit too; avoid prayer times, dress modestly, remove your shoes, and women should cover their hair.