Tbilisi Juma Mosque on Botanical Street
Why is it significant?
Arrive before the distinctive octagonal brick minaret of the Juma Mosque, commanding the hillside above the historic sulphur bath quarter.
Key Facts
| Place | Tbilisi Juma Mosque on Botanical Street |
|---|---|
| Address | Botanical Street 32, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Geo Coordinates | 41.68880, 44.80900 |
| Part of Walk | Old Tbilisi: Sulphur Baths of Abanotubani, Narikala Fortress, and Kala |
| Generated | Generated |
Arrive before the distinctive octagonal brick minaret of the Juma Mosque, commanding the hillside above the historic sulphur bath quarter. Originally constructed by the Ottoman Turks in the early eighteenth century and rebuilt multiple times, the present structure was masterfully redesigned in 1895 in a striking neo-Islamic style featuring red and yellow brick patterns. This sacred house of worship stands as a profound worldwide symbol of interfaith tolerance, serving as one of the extremely rare sanctuaries where Sunni and Shia Muslims pray harmoniously side by side.
Examine the elegant decorative brickwork of the exterior walls, which seamlessly blends Ottoman Islamic motifs with regional Transcaucasian architectural elements. Inside the prayer hall, a modest black curtain historically divided the Sunni and Shia worshippers during devotional services. In 1996, the congregation collectively chose to remove this dividing drapery, establishing a unified mihrab where both traditions offer their daily prayers together in mutual brotherhood, making the mosque an inspiring sanctuary of peace.
The earlier Shia Blue Mosque, constructed on the opposite bank of the Mtkvari River in the sixteenth century by the Persian Shah Ismail, was tragically demolished in 1951 during Soviet urban redevelopment. Following that destruction, the Sunni community of the Juma Mosque opened their doors wide to their displaced Shia neighbors, welcoming them to share this sacred space permanently. This remarkable gesture of communal generosity reflects the deeply ingrained multicultural spirit that has defined Tiflis for well over a millennium.
From the tranquil terrace surrounding the minaret, enjoy an exceptional vantage point over the tumbling rooftops of the bath district and the rushing waters of the Mtkvari River below. The resonant call of the muezzin frequently mingles with the chimes of nearby Armenian and Georgian Orthodox church bells, creating a poignant auditory tapestry of tolerance. The Juma Mosque stands as a living testament to humanity's capacity for peaceful coexistence and spiritual fellowship.
Descend the stone hillside stairs toward the Armenian Cathedral of Saint George.