In short: Orta Mosque
Orta Jame is the only surviving and active mosque in Batumi, located in the Turkish Quarter of the Old Town, about 400 metres from Piazza Square. It was built in the second half of the 19th century, funded by the family of Aslan-beg Khimshiashvili, a notable Adjarian figure. Its name means "middle" in Turkish — it once stood between two other mosques, now demolished. Inside are bright oriental paintings. The mosque welcomes visitors; dress modestly and observe the etiquette of a place of worship.
History of the mosque
Orta Jame was built in the second half of the 19th century with funds donated by the family of Aslan-beg Khimshiashvili — a member of a noble Adjarian line, a Georgian who followed Islam. The mosque was raised for local Muslims who had nowhere to pray.
Sources disagree on the exact date: most give 1886, though the plaque at the entrance reads 1866. Either way, the building has stood in Batumi for more than a century and a half.
During the Soviet era, in 1932, the mosque was closed like many religious buildings. It reopened in 1946 and has operated ever since. Restorations in the 1990s and 2000s renewed the building, laid out the courtyard, and added the minaret.
Why "Orta" means "middle"
The name preserves the memory of what's gone. "Orta" is Turkish for "middle." Orta Jame once stood between two other Batumi mosques — Azize Jame and Ahmed-Pasha Jame. Neither survives: both were demolished, leaving Orta Jame "the middle one" in name only — the sole survivor of three.
This mirrors the story of the whole district: Batumi once had several mosques and was far more religiously varied than it appears today.
What's inside
Orta Jame is a white two-storey building. Its real treasure is the interior: walls and ceilings covered in bright oriental paintings and ornamentation, worked with great attention to detail. It's a quiet but striking beauty, and reason enough to step inside.
The mosque is active: regular prayers are held here and Muslim holidays observed. A school attached to it teaches children the Quran. The courtyard has a place for ablution, with water provided free.
The Turkish Quarter around it
Orta Jame is the heart of the Turkish Quarter, and it's best seen together with the surrounding streets. This is a distinctive part of Batumi's Old Town: a different rhythm, cafés serving Turkish coffee, small shops, stalls with halal products. The atmosphere differs noticeably from the "European" Piazza a couple of hundred metres away.
That very contrast — old streets with a mosque and Turkish character beside the Italianate Piazza — is the real Batumi: a port city where different peoples and faiths lived side by side for centuries. To tie it all into one walk, see our guide to Batumi Old Town walking guide.
How to visit: practical notes
- Location: the Turkish Quarter of the Old Town, about 400 metres from Piazza; a few minutes on foot.
- Entry: the mosque is open to visitors, free of charge.
- Dress and conduct: this is an active place of worship. Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees); women are advised to bring a headscarf; shoes are removed before entering the prayer hall. Keep quiet inside and don't disturb worshippers.
- Timing: avoid prayer times if you want to view the interior calmly — or come respectfully to observe the life of the mosque.
- Photos: check whether photography is appropriate on site, especially during prayers.
A place worth understanding
Orta Jame isn't just a handsome building — it's a living monument to Batumi's multi-ethnic past. Places like this open up more when you know their story: why a mosque stands steps from churches and a "European" square, what was here before, how the communities coexisted.
That's exactly what the Batumi audio guide is about: a walk through the Old Town that passes through the Turkish Quarter and tells the story of the different cultures that shaped the city. It's easy to take at your own pace, with pauses.
FAQ
Is there a mosque in Batumi?
Yes. Orta Jame is the only active mosque in Batumi, located in the Turkish Quarter of the Old Town, about 400 metres from Piazza Square.
Can tourists enter Orta Jame?
Yes, the mosque is open to visitors and entry is free. Dress modestly, keep quiet and don't disturb those praying.
What does the name "Orta Jame" mean?
"Orta" is Turkish for "middle." The mosque stood between two other mosques that no longer survive, leaving it "the middle one" in name alone.
How old is the mosque?
More than a century and a half. Sources cite 1886, while the entrance plaque reads 1866. The exact date is disputed, but the building dates to the second half of the 19th century.
What's near the mosque?
The Turkish Quarter: cafés with Turkish coffee, stalls with halal products, small shops. Piazza Square is a couple of hundred metres away.
Walk Old Batumi with its stories
Orta Mosque, churches and Piazza a few steps apart — that's the many-faced Batumi. Open the WorldWalk audio guide to the Old Town: a route with stories of the city's many cultures, maps and photos, at your own pace.