Architecture of Akhaltsikhe Rabati castle before the reconstruction

The Akhaltsike Rabati Castle standing on the rocky highland on left embankment of river Mtkvari is named Lomsia since IX century. Approximately after the end of XII century after fundamental restoration of Castle and building the city around the fortress it was called Akhaltsikhe. In following eras the castle has been repaired for many times. From this point of view, great contribution was made by Samtskhe governons- Jakelebi. Turkish people who conquered the Castle since the end of XVI century and Russians settled in Rabati Castle since twenties of XIX century. Also the dislocated soviet army before seventies of XX century leaves its trace. Despites this before the rehabilitation of Castle, the Georgian elements have also achieved.
The ensemble of Castle set up from the premises of architectural value and of various epochs with its setting out is impartial. It is scattered in two terraces and occupies 7 hectares of plot. It is surrounded by half-circle powers, right-angular towers and trapezium like contra forces fortified with two fences of dismantled gate, with the palace citadel located on the territory of upper castle. Mosque and Madres. brick structure erected nearby to the gate and the aqueduct erected on the arches of wonderful proportions imbedded in the gorge outside the gate reflects the medieval history of Castle.
The many receptacle bath of early feudal era discovered on the territory of lower Castle makes us think that for fortress complex the supply of water from this side was convenient. The vault like tunnel constructed with peeled stone squares re-ected in the south section of the lower yard provided the supply of water for the Castle. Despite this diverse elements the urgent rehabilitation works made Castle lose its visual historic confidence.