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Gori

Updated: November 6, 2026

Shida Kartli · 85 km from Tbilisi

Gori is the center of the Shida Kartli region, at the confluence of the Mtkvari and the Greater Liakhvi. It is one of the oldest towns in Georgia: there were settlements here as early as the Early Bronze Age.

Goristsikhe Fortress stands on a rocky hill above the center. There were fortifications here in ancient times; the present walls date mostly from the 17th century.

Gori is the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, and his museum operates in the town. The cave town of Uplistsikhe is 10 km away, so Gori is almost always visited together with it.

WhereShida Kartli, 85 km from Tbilisi
Getting thereabout an hour by car
Fortressfree entry
Stalin Museumopened in 1957
NearbyUplistsikhe, 10 km

Gori: the fortress, the museum and Uplistsikhe — in our article →

Tours to Gori

Gori and Uplistsikhe excursion from Tbilisi — a 1-day tour

Gori and Uplistsikhe excursion from Tbilisi — a 1-day tour — photo 2

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History of the town

According to medieval chronicles, the town was founded by King David IV the Builder. The fortress hill was fortified as early as the last centuries BC, and Gori received official town status in 1801.

Gori stands on the main road between eastern and western Georgia and was an important fortress in the Middle Ages. In 2008, during the war, the town was occupied by Russian troops.

What to see

Goristsikhe Fortress — a 10-minute climb; from the top you can see the whole town and the Mtkvari valley.
2008 Memorial — bronze figures of warriors at the foot of the hill.
Stalin Museum — in the park is the small house where he was born in 1878, and the armored railway carriage he traveled in.
Uplistsikhe — a cave town 10 km away; allow 1–1.5 hours for it.

Best time to visit

Summers in Gori are usually hot; the warmest months are July and August. Most rain falls in May.

How to get there

By car: about an hour along the highway west, 85 km.
By minibus: from Didube bus station every half hour; there are also local trains.
To Uplistsikhe: from Gori by taxi, about 15 minutes. More details in our article about Gori.

Tips

2–3 hours is enough for the town, half a day together with Uplistsikhe.
The museum's exhibition has barely changed since Soviet times — people see it as a monument of its era too.
The local dish is Gori khachapuri, served with Shida Kartli wines.