Juma Mosque

Juma Mosque in Tbilisi is an active Islamic place of worship located on the hillside above Abanotubani, between the historic sulfur baths and the National Botanical Garden of Georgia. Also written as Jumah Mosque or Tbilisi Central Mosque, it is best known as a shared place of prayer for both Sunni and Shia Muslims.

The mosque’s red-brick exterior, octagonal minaret and colourful interior make it one of the most distinctive religious buildings in Old Tbilisi. More importantly, it represents the long and complex history of the city’s Muslim community and the multicultural character of Georgia’s capital.

Juma Mosque: Quick Information

• Address: 32 Botanikuri Street, Old Tbilisi
• Neighbourhood: Abanotubani
• Status: Active mosque
• Religious communities: Sunni and Shia Muslims
• Admission: No regular entrance fee
• Recommended visit time: Approximately 20–30 minutes
• Nearest metro station: Avlabari
• Best time to visit: Outside Friday prayers and major Islamic holidays
• Dress code: Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees
• Photography: Ask permission before photographing the interior or worshippers
• Accessibility: Limited because of the steep street, uneven surfaces and possible steps

Visitor access may change during prayers, religious celebrations and community events. Worship always takes priority over sightseeing.

Why Is Juma Mosque in Tbilisi Famous?

Juma Mosque is famous because Sunni and Shia Muslims worship together in the same building. It is widely described as one of the world’s rare examples of the two main branches of Islam sharing a single mosque and prayer space.

The interior contains two mihrabs. A mihrab is a niche in the wall indicating the direction of Mecca and the direction Muslims face during prayer. The presence of two mihrabs reflects the mosque’s connection with both Sunni and Shia worshippers.

Georgia’s official tourism portal highlights this shared tradition as the mosque’s most distinctive feature.

A Brief History of Juma Mosque

Muslim communities have been part of Tbilisi’s history since the Arab conquest of the city in the second half of the seventh century. Several mosques existed in Tbilisi during different historical periods, reflecting the changing political and cultural influences of the wider region.

An Ottoman Sunni mosque was built at the foot of Narikala Fortress between 1723 and 1735. It was destroyed during the Persian invasion of Tbilisi in the 1740s.

The mosque was reconstructed between 1846 and 1851 as part of a project associated with Italian architect Giovanni Scudieri. That building was later replaced by a new mosque towards the end of the nineteenth century, creating much of the structure visitors see today.

For many years, Tbilisi also had a separate Shia mosque near the Mtkvari River and Metekhi Bridge. Soviet authorities demolished that mosque during the early 1950s as part of construction work in the area. Tbilisi’s Shia community subsequently began using Juma Mosque together with Sunni worshippers.

Today, Juma Mosque remains the city’s principal Muslim house of worship and an important part of Tbilisi’s living religious heritage.

Architecture and Interior

Juma Mosque combines Islamic decorative traditions with architectural influences associated with nineteenth-century Tbilisi.

The exterior is built mainly from red brick and incorporates pointed arches and Neo-Gothic elements. Its most recognisable feature is the tall, octagonal minaret rising above Botanikuri Street. The minaret is easy to spot when walking uphill from the sulfur baths towards the Botanical Garden.

Inside, the prayer hall is decorated with colourful geometric and floral patterns, blue details, Arabic calligraphy and a large chandelier. The relatively modest exterior gives little indication of how richly decorated the interior is.

Remember that the mosque is not a museum. Religious services and the needs of worshippers always take priority.

Can Tourists Enter Juma Mosque?

Non-Muslim visitors are generally welcome when the mosque is open and no private religious activity is taking place. However, admission should never be treated as guaranteed because this is an active place of worship rather than a conventional tourist attraction.

When entering:

• Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
• Women may be asked to cover their hair, so carrying a light scarf is recommended.
• Remove your shoes before entering the prayer area.
• Keep your phone on silent mode.
• Speak quietly and avoid walking in front of people who are praying.
• Follow any instructions given by the imam or mosque staff.
• Do not enter areas reserved for worshippers without permission.
• Ask before photographing the interior or any person inside.

Avoid entering during the main Friday prayer, especially around midday. Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and other important Islamic celebrations can also attract large numbers of worshippers.

Entrance Fee and Opening Hours

There is normally no fixed entrance fee for visiting Juma Mosque. A voluntary donation may be appreciated, but visitors should not feel that they are purchasing admission.

A reliable official tourist timetable is not consistently published. Because the mosque remains active, visitor access can vary according to daily prayers, Friday worship, Ramadan, Islamic holidays and community events.

If the doors are closed or a service is taking place, do not interrupt. Wait quietly or return at another time.

How to Get to Juma Mosque

From the Sulfur Baths

The easiest approach is from the Tbilisi sulfur baths in Abanotubani.

Walk past Chreli Abano and continue uphill along Botanikuri Street. The mosque is approximately five minutes from the main bath district. Look for its red-brick façade and octagonal minaret on the hillside.

The street becomes steep and may be slippery after rain, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

By Metro

Avlabari is the nearest metro station. From the station, walk downhill towards Metekhi Bridge, cross into Old Tbilisi and continue through Meidan Square and Abanotubani.

The complete walk normally takes approximately 15–20 minutes.

By Taxi

Enter Juma Mosque, 32 Botanikuri Street into your taxi application. Vehicle access can be difficult on the narrow hillside streets, and the driver may need to stop a short distance from the entrance.

What to See Near Juma Mosque

The mosque is easy to include in an Old Tbilisi walking route. Nearby attractions include:

• Tbilisi Sulfur Baths – the historic thermal bath district directly below the mosque
• Leghvtakhevi Gorge and Waterfall – reached from the pathway beside the bathhouses
• National Botanical Garden of Georgia – located further along Botanikuri Street
• Narikala Fortress – the ancient fortress overlooking the mosque and Abanotubani
• Mother of Georgia – a panoramic monument on the ridge above Old Tbilisi
• Great Synagogue of Tbilisi – another active religious landmark in the historic centre
• Meidan Square – one of the main meeting points and pedestrian areas of Old Tbilisi

A convenient route begins at the Great Synagogue, continues through Meidan Square and the sulfur baths, and then climbs to Juma Mosque. Afterwards, visitors can walk to Leghvtakhevi Waterfall or continue towards the Botanical Garden.

This short route brings together Jewish, Muslim and Christian heritage, traditional bathhouses and historic residential streets, showing how different communities contributed to the development of Old Tbilisi.

Explore the Area with a Local Guide

The Old Tbilisi Free Tour operated by Tbilisi Free Walking Tours explores the historic centre and finishes near the sulfur baths in Abanotubani.

Juma Mosque is not an interior stop on the tour, but it is only a short uphill walk from the finishing area. This makes it easy to visit the mosque independently before or after exploring Old Tbilisi with a local guide.

Is Juma Mosque Worth Visiting?

Yes. Juma Mosque is worth visiting for travellers interested in sacred architecture, Islamic heritage and Tbilisi’s multicultural history.

The visit does not require much time, and the mosque’s location makes it easy to combine with the sulfur baths, Leghvtakhevi Waterfall and the Botanical Garden. Its greatest significance is not simply its architecture, but its continued role as a shared and active place of worship.

Approach the mosque respectfully, allow worshippers their privacy and remember that it is a living religious institution rather than a tourist exhibition.

FAQ

Where is Juma Mosque in Tbilisi?

Juma Mosque is located at 32 Botanikuri Street in the Abanotubani district of Old Tbilisi. It stands between the sulfur baths and the National Botanical Garden, below Narikala Fortress.

Why is Juma Mosque unique?

The mosque is known for being shared by Sunni and Shia Muslims. Its prayer hall also contains two mihrabs associated with the two Muslim communities.

Can non-Muslims visit Juma Mosque?

Non-Muslim visitors are generally welcome when access is available. Visitors must dress modestly, remain quiet and avoid disturbing prayers or religious activities.

Is there an entrance fee?

There is normally no fixed admission fee. A voluntary donation may be appreciated.

What should women wear inside the mosque?

Women should wear modest clothing covering their shoulders and knees and may be asked to cover their hair. Bringing a light scarf is recommended.

Do visitors need to remove their shoes?

Yes. Shoes should be removed before entering the main prayer area. Follow the example of worshippers and any instructions displayed at the entrance.

Can I take photographs inside?

Ask permission before taking photographs. Never photograph worshippers without their consent, and avoid photography during prayers.

What is the best time to visit?

Visit outside the main prayer periods. Friday around midday is usually the busiest time and should be avoided by casual sightseers.

How long does a visit take?

Approximately 20–30 minutes is normally enough to see the mosque respectfully. Allow more time when combining it with Abanotubani, Leghvtakhevi Waterfall or the Botanical Garden.