Things to do in Gori

No. 17 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Stalin Museum

The Stalin Museum is located in the city of Gori, Georgia, which is Stalin's place of birth. The entire museum complex consists of three parts: the main exhibition hall, the birthplace cottage, and the armored train carriage. The exhibits largely retain their original Soviet-era appearance to this day, and walking through it feels like stepping into a piece of history that has been completely preserved. The exhibition in the main hall is generally arranged chronologically, covering everything from Stalin's childhood and youth to the years of World War II and the post-war period. You can see his office furniture, personal belongings, gifts from various countries, and a large number of historical photos and documents, as well as an office restored in the style of The Moscow Kremlin. At the end of the tour route, a death mask cast after he passed away is on display.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Shida Kartli

Uplistsikhe

Uplistsikhe is situated on a towering sandstone cliff along the Mtkvari River in eastern Georgia and is a rock-hewn cave city that was in use from the early Iron Age through the Middle Ages. It long served as the religious and political center of the ancient Kingdom of Kartli. At its peak, the city was home to about 20,000 people, with temples, theaters, pharmacies, bakeries, wineries, and even drainage tunnels carved directly into the rock. The entire city covers about 8 hectares, and walking through it feels like walking through a fully functional stone city. Despite thousands of years of wind erosion and earthquake damage, the main layout remains largely intact.

Stalin Park

Gori Fortress

This is a historic fortress with a soldier statue at the base, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city of Gori.

Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium

Ateni Sioni Church

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Ananuri Fortress Complex

Ananuri Fortress Complex is located on the banks of the Aragvi River, approx. 70 km north of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and adjacent to the Zhinvali Reservoir. It is a nearly unavoidable stop when traveling north along the Georgian Military Highway toward Kazbegi. Since the 13th century, this has been a castle and military fortress for the feudal lords of the Aragvi dynasty, with the existing walls and main structures mostly dating back to the 16th–17th centuries. It consists of two castles, upper and lower, and continuous walls. The lower castle with its round tower is now just ruins, while the side along the ridge, along with the square Sheupovari tower, is well-preserved. Climbing the tower offers a panoramic view of the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir and the mountains on the opposite bank. The scene featuring the walls, church domes, and the surrounding landscape makes this a popular location for travelers in Georgia.

Art House - Gallery

Uplistsikhe Museum-Reserve

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi

Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi stands on Elia Hill on the left bank of the Mtkvari River and is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The church adopts the traditional Georgian cross-dome architectural style, with the central dome covered in gold leaf and a gilded cross standing at the top, reaching a total height of nearly 100 m including the underground section. Thanks to its massive size and commanding position, its golden dome can be seen from almost anywhere in the city of Tbilisi. The interior of the church is also worth a close look. In the northeast corner, there is a mosaic icon of the Virgin Mary; the southeast corner houses a display case with a cross and a handwritten Bible; and the northwest corner displays a model of the holy city of Jerusalem made of mica. The church also has several chapels underground, and the main murals were painted by contemporary Georgian artists in a traditional style. In addition to the main cathedral, the entire complex includes auxiliary facilities such as a separate bell tower, a monastery, and a seminary, which are quite impressive in scale. As the mother church of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the cathedral hosts Orthodox rituals and religious activities all year round. The interior murals and mosaic decorations create a solemn religious atmosphere, and from the cathedral's platform, you can overlook the city of Tbilisi and the scenery on both banks of the Kura River.