Gori is a welcoming and verdant city characterized by its ancient architecture, distinctive fortress, bustling market, several churches, and a synagogue. In local cafés, visitors can savor traditional Georgian cuisine. Located just an hour’s drive from Tbilisi, Gori is an ideal destination for a day trip from the capital. However, given its proximity to the cave city of Uplistsikhe, it is well worth dedicating an entire weekend to explore this remarkable area.
In terms of population, Gori is relatively large by Georgian standards, ranking as the sixth most populous city in the country with around 50,000 residents. It is the second-largest city in central Georgia, following Tbilisi, and has historically served as a vital hub for trade routes connecting the east and west. For a significant period, Gori, or more accurately the nearby Uplistsikhe, functioned as the de facto capital of the Kartli Kingdom, particularly during the 500 years that Tbilisi was under Arab occupation.
Dominating the flat plain at the heart of the city, near where the Kura River meets its tributary, the Great Liakhvi, is a colossal rocky hill. Cascading down the northwestern side of this hill is the ancient fortress of Gorisitsikhe, which features stone terraces and viewing platforms. This citadel, established no later than the 8th century, held strategic significance, with fortifications in the area dating back to the 6th and 5th centuries BC.
However, in 1920, Gori experienced the devastating Gori earthquake, which resulted in significant destruction throughout the city, including severe damage to the fortress.
Globally, Gori is renowned as the birthplace of Joseph Jughashvili, better known as Stalin. Visitors to the city can explore a museum dedicated to his life, which comprises the main building, a house museum, a monument, and his personal railway car.
The city is famed for the Gorisitsikhe Fortress, the Gorisjvari Church, and the Stalin Museum, whose reputation extends far beyond Georgia’s borders. There is also the Gori Local History Museum, which, while quite good, often goes unnoticed by tourists. Nearby, you can find the famous cave city of Uplistsikhe and the lesser-known Ateni Sioni Church situated in the Ateni Gorge.
Most of Gori’s attractions are concentrated around Chavchavadze and Stalin Avenues, making it easy to stroll along these two streets and circle around the fortress. Just 150 meters from Stalin Park, adjacent to the fortress, is the Gori Cathedral, built in the Slavic style. Though it holds some historical value, having been constructed between 1806 and 1810 as a Catholic church, it is not particularly significant.
The Gorisitsikhe Fortress was built to house a garrison that protected the land and water trade routes passing through the city. The best views of the fortress can be enjoyed from the western side, where you will find the Lomchabuki Square, which also hosts a tourist information center. Entrance to Gori Fortress is free, and the grounds are open around the clock, seven days a week.
Perched 600 meters above the city on the opposite bank of the Kura River is the Cathedral of Saint George (Goridjvari). From this vantage point, you can enjoy panoramic views of Gori and the river. Originally constructed in the 12th century, the Church of Saint George has been rebuilt several times, including after the 1920 earthquake. In the 1980s, a modern version of the church was constructed. It can be reached from the city center on foot (a 5-kilometer trek with a steep ascent) or by taxi.
The distance between Gori and Tbilisi is approximately 86 kilometers along the highway, making it possible to travel between the two cities in just one to one and a half hours. Gori is well-connected to Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and several other Georgian cities through a network of minibus services and railways.
Minibuses to Gori depart from the Didube Bus Station in Tbilisi approximately every 15 to 20 minutes from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (departure times may vary depending on the season). The average travel time is between 60 to 80 minutes, with tickets priced at 5 lari. Drivers typically drop passengers off at the Gori Bus Station, which is located about 2.5 kilometers north of the city center.
Alternatively, you can opt for a shared taxi from Didube, which also operates routes to Gori. This option costs around 7 lari per person. You may need to wait for other passengers to fill the vehicle, but this route is quite popular, so the taxi fills up quickly. In this case, the driver can drop you off directly at the Stalin Museum or any other address in the city center.
There are also several trains each day from Tbilisi’s central railway station to Gori, including routes to Ozurgeti and Kutaisi. The journey takes just over an hour. The Gori Railway Station is situated on the opposite bank of the river in the southern part of the city, approximately a 30-minute walk from the Stalin Museum. At least two trains run daily from Gori to Tbilisi.