Gori, Georgia, is probably most famous for being the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, the dictator of Russia from 1922 to 1953. There is so much more to this city than Stalin. Cindy and I only have Two Days In Gori, Georgia, and going to Make The Best Of It. Gori is 90 km west of Tbilisi, so it is relatively easy to get to. We arrived in Gori after taking the train from Tbilisi where we had spent the last six weeks, loved Tbilisi.
We were excited to discover this city as it has a Fortress built atop a hill that overlooks the city. Looking forward to trying more Georgian dishes from the area along with any local delights found at markets or bazaars. We love to walk, so we hope to find other hidden gems unique to Gori. We will take a side trip out to see Uplistsikhe the cave city.
Little History About Gori
Gori is a city in eastern Georgia, which serves as the regional capital of Shida Kartli. Its located at the junction of two rivers, the Mtkvari and the Liakhvi. Gori is the fifth-most populated (55,000) city in Georgia. The name Gori comes from the Georgian word Gora, meaning “heap”, “hill”, or a mountain. Gori hill is believed to have been populated since early 300 – 200 BC. Gori Fortress was built in the 7th century. Like most Eastern Georgian towns, foreign invaders frequently targeted Gori, knowing many different masters. Gori was destroyed by an earthquake in 1920 but rebuilt by its Russian over-seers.
Two Days In Gori Georgia Making The Best Of It
With Two Days In Gori, we want to Make The Best Of It. See as much of this city as possible. We are here near the end of January and are unsure how much the weather will affect our plans. On the list of sites to visit in Gori is the Fortress, Stalin Museum, Virgin Mary Cathedral, and Uplistsikhe. I’m sure that we will find many other distractions that will catch our attention. As always the flavors of this destination will be part of the experience of Gori.
Uplistsikhe City Caves
Uplistsikhe – meaning “The Fortress of God sits 10km east of Gori north of the Mtkvari River. Between the 6th century BC and 1st century AD, Uplistsikhe was the main center of paganism. Uplistsikhe represents a complex of halls, caves, theatres, altars, pagan temples, secret tunnels, prisons, pharmacies, passages-streets all carved out of stone over an area of 4 hectares. After Christianity was accepted throughout Georgia in the 4th century, Uplistsikhe standing as a major city started to diminish. When the Arabs occupied Tbilisi in AD 645. Uplistsikhe became the residence of the Christian kings of Kartli and again an important trade center on the main caravan road (known as the silk road) from Asia to Europe.
At its peak, Uplistsikhe housed 20,000 people. Its importance declined after King David the Builder retook Tbilisi in 1122. Later Christian churches were built. In 9th -10th cc AD, a three-nave basilica was added to the complex. In the 13th century, Uplistsike was destroyed due to the devastating invasion of Genghis – khan to Georgia.
We hired a taxi outside the Stalin Museum to visit the caves. After agreeing on a price of 40GEL for the return ride. Which included a one-hour waiting time, while we discovered the caves. After arriving at Uplistsikhe we purchased our tickets that included wine tasting after the tour. Cost of 20 GEL each, without wine tasting, the cost is 15 GEL each. We hired a guide at the cost of another 20 GEL. Very inexpensive for the knowledge that you get in return. As a side note, it had snowed here the day before which added to the beauty of the site. As well as the hazard of slipping or stepping somewhere that you shouldn’t.
This was the first time Cindy and I have experienced a place like this, where the town was made up of caves. The snow-covered landscape made for some interesting and captivating pictures. We intend to visit Vardzia when we visit Akhaltsikhe if weather permits. In hindsight, we should have visited David Gareji Lavra when we were in Tbilisi or Signagi. Then we could have seen some caves without snow.
These caves are an incredible feat when considering the sheer size of the area. We highly recommend visiting Uplistsikhe if, given the opportunity, it’s something unique. We were happy that it was not windy, which would have created a very cold windchill. It took us one and a half hours to tour the caves. We paid the driver 50 GEL, he appreciated our honesty and generosity.
Gori Fortress
This partially reconstructed oval Fortress stands on the hill at the heart of Gori. It dates mostly from the Middle Ages. There is archaeological evidence that shows that the area had already been fortified in the final centuries BCE. Gori Fortress was an important strategic fortress. It’s clear that control of the fort was critical for maintaining domination of the entire region. Consequently, the Georgians, Ottomans, and Persians continually vied for control of the Gori Fortress during the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, Gori Fortress has been repeatedly renovated and rebuilt. Gori Fortress was severely damaged during the earthquake of 1920.
After getting back from visiting Uplistsikhe and the weather still co-operating we decided to visit Gori Fortress. You can’t really miss it as the location is in the center of town on top of a hill. After stopping for a quick bite, we were off to find the entrance. Walking around the bottom of the hill we finally found a pathway that looked like it would take us to the entrance.
There is no entrance fee to visit Gori Fortress. You walk up a staircase that leads you up to the gate where you enter. I’ll be honest there is not that much to see. The only visible signs of the fort are the walls, which are impressive. No buildings are within the walls of the Fortress, making it difficult to imagine what it may have looked like in its glory. The views from atop of the hill are truly incredible. You can see out over the city and far into the surrounding countryside.
Memorial of Georgian War Heroes
Memorial of Georgian War Heroes sits at the foot of the hill and depicts inured soldiers. A moving arrangement created by a local sculptor in the 1980s. Located at its northeast foot, a circle of eight mutilated metal warriors forms an eerie memorial to those lost in the 2008 war with Russia over South Ossetia.
Virgin Marys Cathedral
The temple was built as a Catholic church between 1806 and 1810. In 1920, it was heavily damaged by the earthquake. During Soviet times, Gori’s Music School was situated in the church. We visited Virgin Mary Cathedral located across the street from Gori Fortress. A beautiful church is well worth looking inside at the fresco painted on the walls.
An Evening To Remember (Or Not)
One of our greatest experiences no matter where we are is experiencing local foods. We found that eating out in Georgia especially once away from Tbilisi is very inexpensive. After looking online, we found a restaurant (loosely Translated Family Friendly). Which was very close to our stay and had excellent reviews. Our host highly recommended this place for its very good Georgian food.
We ordered what to us was Georgian cutlets (highly Recommended) with a tomato and cucumber salad and a couple of beers. Being a genuinely Georgian eatery, the staff did not speak or understand English. Even with Google translate we were having some difficulties. The waitress entered one of the private dining rooms reserved by patrons to enjoy a private dining experience. This is where our evening started to go off the rails in a good way.
Our waitress comes out with ZaZa, a fine young gentleman in his mid-thirties. Who would be our interpreter as he spoke and understand English very well. After finding out that we were tourists traveling Georgia who really loved his country. ZaZa offered us a jug (just under 750 ml) of their homemade wine. We had experienced and rather enjoyed homemade wine while in Signagi as our guesthouse host invited us to try his, so we quickly said yes and thanked him for his generosity. ZaZa told us to taste the wine before drinking the beer as the beer would ruin the flavors of the wine.
After drinking our wine with our dinner, our new friend saw that we had finished the wine. Well, this wouldn’t do. After some talking, we found out that ZaZa had served in the Georgian service in Afghanistan and Iraq. Before he leaves to join his friend’s party he brings to our table yet another jug of this very good homemade wine. We are really enjoying the wine by now. Nearing the end our delicious Georgian cutlets ZaZa comes out with others from the room and we say our hellos and before they re-enter their room our jug is again re-filled. Well, wine has never tasted so good with new friends.
After finishing our third jug of wine I return from the facilities to find that Cindy is nowhere to be found. I’m directed to the private room of our new friends. They are celebrating one of the other gentleman’s granddaughters’ 4th birthday. Before we know it we have full glasses of wine toasting to the health of the granddaughter. More toasting to new friends, Georgia, Canada. Not sure how many toasts we had that night. It was one of the best nights that Cindy and I have experienced in Georgia. When it was finally time to leave. We stand outside the restaurant saying goodbye to our new friends with handshakes and hugs. We left with fond, if not foggy, memories of the special night we just enjoyed.
It was a pleasure to be invited into a circle of friends and then become one of them. If only for a short period of time. We are so grateful for this experience. The morning after, maybe not so much. That night we had made plans to return for dinner the following night. The experience was not the same and we missed our new friends.
We hope that life treats them well. If you ever have the opportunity to make new friends on the road and experience new cultures we highly recommend the experience. Life is too short not to live it to its fullest with new friends, if only for a night.
Joseph Stalin Mueseum
The Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori, Georgia is dedicated to the life of Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, who was born in Gori in 1878. The Museum reflects Soviet-era features. This Museum has three sections, all located in the town’s central square. The Museum itself, Stalin’s Gori home, and the railcar Stalin used when traveling. Stalin museum is a popular tourist destination in Gori.
Museum exhibits are divided into six parts in chronological order. They contain many items owned by Stalin, including some of his office furniture, personal effects, and gifts given to him. There are many illustrations by way of documentation, photographs, paintings, and newspaper articles. One display is a copy of the death mask of Stalin taken shortly after his death.
To one side of the Museum is Stalin’s personal railway carriage. The green Pullman, which is an armor-plated carriage that weighed 83 tons, was used by Stalin from 1941 onwards. It was gifted to the Museum after being recovered from the railway yards at Rostov-on-Don.
We found the Stalin museum interesting. I would not have gone out of my way to travel there to visit. Since we were in Gori anyway it was a must-visit. There is an English tour that takes you through the whole exhibit. Cost of entry includes the English tour is 15 GEL, opens at 10:00, and closes at 17:00 or 18:00 depending on the season.
Our Accomadition Anna’s Guest House
Anna’s Guest House is located several blocks from the Stalin Museum and is centrally located to access most attractions in Gori. Anna is very pleasant and an accommodating host. Anna helped Cindy with the Maxim App because it was in Georgian every time Cindy downloaded the app, and Cindy couldn’t figure out how to get it to show English. We enjoyed our stay of a couple of nights here.
Getting to Gori
For us, we took the train from Tbilisi at a cost of 7 GEL each, leaving from Station Square. We left at 8:20 in the morning and arrived in Gori at 10:10, a very comfortable form of transportation. Getting off at the station in Gori and getting to our guesthouses wasn’t that easy. Tried to wave down a taxi to no avail. Bolt app did not work here either. Fortunately, we asked the bus driver that was parked here about getting to the Stalin museum as our guesthouse was very near here. He let us on without paying as we did not have one of those bus passes to use. Very nice of him, people can be very helpful if given the opportunity. We found out that the app Maxim is a very good way to get a taxi.
Leaving Gori Onward
For us, we were to use the Mtskheta (local minivans) to get to Akhaltsikhe at a cost of 7 GEL each. The trip would take two hours in a very cold van, oh the hardships of travel. One thing when visiting the outlying towns is that English is not widely spoken or understood. Google maps or Google translate can be your friend. Everyone that we asked for some form of assistance would do their best to help.
Covid-19 Protocols
Here are some of the Covid-19 protocols that we have run across in our stay in Gori and, for that matter, in the rest of Georgia as well. You need to prove that you have been double vaccinated, and the last shot needs to be 14 days or longer from the current date. When flying, this proof will be requested, entering some stores, restaurants, and Museums.
The requirement is to wear masks when entering any building, purchasing tickets at a wicket, entering restaurants, and in crowded locations such as riding buses or the Metro.
I’ll be honest it appears that most Covid-19 Protocols are not followed in the smaller communities.
Our Final Thoughts Two Days In Gori Georgia Making The Best Of It
- We enjoyed Gori, got to meet some locals and had a good evening with them. Getting out to Uplistsikhe and being able to enjoy this historical sight even in the snow was great. Gori fortress along with the Stalin museum are both worth the time to visit. It is always nice to be able to outlying towns as life is so different then the big cities.
Our Positives
- We really enjoyed visiting Uplistsikhe, the cave city
- The Gori Fortress was interesting to see
- Stalin museum was interesting and we would recommend
- Our evening out with our new found friends was an incredible experience
Our Negatives
- We wish that we wouldn’t have gotten snow while in this area but that is life.
- A liitle to much vino with our friends
Would have, Could have, Should have
- There isn’t anything that I would change about our visit to Gori. We enjoyed the experience of seeing Gori and being able to see Uplistsikhe even if it was in the snow.
Next Stop
We are headed south to Akhaltsikhe for four days and some excursions from there. Looking forward to seeing Vardzia and hoping our weather co-operates. Then off to Kutaisi for a week or two, we have not made up our mind yet. We are actually thinking of staying in Georgia for 3 months that way we can get our Covid booster shot. Countries are re-classifying fully vaccinated to mean anywhere from six to nine months after your first two shots. This isn’t easy when you are traveling.
Other Travel Posts About Our Stays In Georgia
Tbilisi the capital of Georgia the Country we started our Georgian adventures here. We fell in love with the city and ended up staying six weeks here. A large post with lots of good information
Signagi (also spelled Sighnaghi) is a beautiful town in the Georgian wine region of Kakheti. We decided to visit this much talked about town after being in Tbilisi for just two weeks. Signagi is sometimes called “the City of Love” and is located a two-hour Marshrutka (van) ride from Tbilisi.
Akhaltsikhe we have four days booked, where we intend to visit these unique sights. Akhaltsikhe has a vast and impressive Fortress situated atop a hill. In addition, you can visit the Resort Town of Abastumani which is a short drive away. Here you can soak your weary bones in sulfur bath pools as the Russian nobles did so many years ago. If looking for something completely different, then visit the Cave Monastery of Vardzia. Known as the home of Queen Tamar.
Why Visit Kutaisi, What Makes Kutaisi Interesting you can find many historical icons from Monasteries to Fortresses. Extraordinary underground caves such as Prometheus Cave and Sataplia where you can see dinosaur footprints and explore Karst cave. Good Georgian food is plenty, plus you can visit the fascinating Green Baazar.
Batumi is a seaside Georgian City located on the black sea just 12 kilometers north of the Turkish Georgian border. Cindy and I are happy to be here, the last stop of our Georgian travels, and we are excited to Experience Batumi and Discover What Makes It Special. We have set aside two weeks to explore Batumi.
Support Our Blog And It’s Unique Travel Content
You can support our site by using the links through our travel Essential. If you purchase items using our links, we will receive a small commission. There are no extra or hidden costs to you. These commissions assist us in our travel, so we can provide unique content to you through each blog post. If you enjoy our blog and find it interesting and informative please share it with friends. Subscriber, so you never miss a new post. Thank you.
Recommended Travel Essential
Cindy and I call ourselves nomadic, so we use certain essentials to make this way of life easier and more comfortable with our lifestyle. With this in mind, we have composed a list of what we feel are essentials and some tips you might use to plan or take your next travel adventure.
- Travel Packing Essentials to help organize and make this task less stressful
- Travel Safety Essentials to make your life on the road a little safer, giving you peace of mind
- Living essentials to make life a little more comfortable, be this resting, working, or playing.
Accommodation Options While Traveling The World
- Booking.com is one of our go to’s when we are looking for a place to stay for a couple of days or longer
- Agoda.com we find is best to use when in Southeast Asia, but hey you never know what you might find
- Airbnb.com used to be our go-to but some of their cancelation policies are reasonable, give them a try as well
Travel Insurance
We always travel with travel Insurance, be it just medical or complete trip coverage. We use Heymondo as we find their costs reasonable. Remember, don’t travel, and without coverage, the savings are not worth the possible costs.
Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning if you buy a product using our link, we may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Disclaimer.
