The Kutaisi Synagogue is an active synagogue in the historic Jewish quarter of Kutaisi, on Boris Gaponov Street. People still pray here, although the community has shrunk greatly: by the late 1980s about 25,000 Jews lived in the city, and today around 120 remain. The main synagogue of 1886 shares a courtyard with neighbouring, later synagogues, so a visitor is usually shown several prayer halls at once. You can go in during prayer hours, usually in the morning and the evening, sometimes through a small door from the courtyard. It is an active religious place: men should cover their heads, keep quiet and ask permission before taking photos. There is no fixed fee, but visitors usually leave a small donation for the tour. A Star of David on the gate makes the synagogue easy to find.
🕯 Visiting
- Open during prayer hours, morning and evening
- Entry sometimes through a small door from the courtyard
- No fixed fee; a small donation is customary
🧭 What to know
- Men should cover their heads
- Keep quiet and ask permission for photos
- A Star of David on the gate
👀 Nearby in the quarter
- Two more synagogues close by
- The monument to Boris Gaponov
- The Jewish quarter and old Kutaisi
