The name ''Gori'' may look and sound like the plural form of the Russian word for mountain (_s______, ''GO-ry''), but the name of Gori, incidentally meaning hill (singular) in Georgian, is much older than the first Russian contact with the Georgian kingdoms in 1500s.
Many marshrutkas run daily between Tbilisi's Didube market and the central square of Gori. A more expensive, yet still reasonable option, is to hire a taxi.
Everything that a tourist would want to see within Gori is easily accessible on foot; the city center is compact.
To get to nearby Uplistsikhe, however, it is best to hire a taxi. Taxis are easy to find around the main square and drivers will be willing to wait for you while you explore Uplistsikhe so that they can drive you back to Gori once you have finished. The whole taxi ride, including waiting, should not cost more than 25 lari and drivers will go as low as 15 lari if you are a hard bargainer.
Public transport to Uplistsikhe is cheaper (less than 1 lari), but far less convenient. A train departs to Uplistsikhe from Gori at around 10AM and returns around 5PM. A bus also makes the trip, departing Gori's bus station once around 9AM and again at noon, returning around 3PM.
If you are driving, head south in Gori on Stalin Ave across the Mtkvari River and turn left on the second main cross-street (not the one running right along the river). This road will take you through the village of Khidistori, where you should try to maintain a straight course, bearing to the left if at a fork, and past the village you should approach Uplistsikhe. If you are feeling lost, ask anyone for directions (try "sahd-ah-rees oo-plee-see-khay?") and they will point you right.
Unlike the majority of Georgia, Gori is full of people who still revere their home-town boy who made such an indelible mark on human history. The principal attractions (as well as the principal revenue earners) within the city are monuments to Stalin and they are all located on or nearby the main square along Stalin Ave.
The Stalin Museum is the highlight of a visit to the city of Gori. Behind its faux-Venetian facade is an impressive museum filled with paraphernalia and media documenting the life and careers of I.V. Jughashvili. The museum's portrayal of Stalin is one-sidedly nostalgic, which can be jarring for visitors, but the exhibits are actually quite well done and there are ample Georgian babushkas throughout the museum who will be more than happy to elaborate on the exhibits and answer questions. Unfortunately, the exhibits are overwhelmingly in Russian and Georgian, to the disadvantage of most Western visitors. But the main show requires no language—Stalin's death mask. Stalin's bronze death mask is not so exciting in and of itself, but the lighting and bizarre, personality cult-chic, red velvet display will surely elicit goose bumps. At the ticket office, ask about an English or German-speaking guide. They are sometimes available and will often show you the inside of Stalin's home and train car.
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Few of the many statues of Stalin throughout the former USSR have survived to this day and Gori's is certainly one of the most magnificent and well-kept. This large statue stands in front of Gori's city hall, located up Stalin Ave. from the end of the main square, opposite the Stalin Museum. There are two other Stalin statues in Gori: a replica of the main statue is in Stalin Park and the second—of Stalin as a young man—can be found beside Gori State University.
Uplistsikhe (?????????—The Fortress of the Lord) is easily one of the oldest existing cities in Georgia, although it is now uninhabited save tourists. Founded in the sixteenth century BC and carved out of rock, this was a bustling city over 3000 years ago and was, before the introduction of Christianity in the fourth century, a major regional center of Caucasian pagan worship. After Saint Nino converted King Mirian II of Iberia, the pagan temples of Uplistsikhe were sacked and the city went into long-term decline. Its decline was hastened by devastation at the hands of the Mongols in the 12th century, although it remained inhabited, serving as a stop along the Silk Road until the 15th century.
Highlights not to be missed include: a Hellenistic amphitheater overlooking the Mtkvari river where residents of Uplistsikhe once enjoyed Greek-style performances, a functioning 9th century church built atop the ruins of an ancient pagan temple to the Caucasian sun god, a once pillared seat of kings, and a fun cave tunnel leading out of the city to the riverside. Also be sure to note the round storage spaces once used for wheat and the shelf-like spaces for medicinal herbs—a veritable bronze age pharmacy!
Uplistsikhe is of considerable historical interest and is properly enjoyed with a guide. Chances are good that your guide will find you before you ask (there is not much alternative employment in this area) and there is a good chance of finding an English-speaking guide on site.
Uplistsikhe suffered long years of neglect and vandalism and is currently undergoing significant restoration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accordingly, certain areas may be closed off from direct contact during your visit, although all sites will still be viewable.
Goris Tsikhe stands at the heart of the city atop a large hill and is the only structure in town that can dwarf the Stalin statue. According to locals, Goris Tsikhe's most notable moment in world history occurred in the first century BC, when it was conquered by the Roman General Pompeii. The current ruins are more recent, however, having been built after the Mongol invasion. There is not much to see inside the ruined castle's walls, but there are nice views of the city and the surrounding dark green plains of Shida Kartli. The approach to the ruins was recently repaved and the surrounding area cleaned up, but the site remains free and the only price of admission is the short, steep walk up the path.
The church at Gori Jvari stands on a outcropping of rocks and can be seen from practically anywhere in Gori. Originally built in the 12th century, it was burned down by the Turks, rebuilt, and destroyed again by an earthquake in 1920. The current church was built in the 1980s. On days commemorating St. George (November 23 and April 23), Gori residents flock to the church with sacrificial sheep. The sheep are walked around the church three times, and in accordance with Orthodox tradition, are taken just off the church grounds for slaughter. On a clear day, the view of the Caucasus from the church is spectacular.
The moderate hike is approximately three hours round trip. To reach the trail head, walk south along Stalin Avenue until you cross the river. The road will cut to the right and then cross the railroad tracks. On the other side of the tracks, look for Ateni Road (?????? ????); this road winds up the hillside and eventually becomes the dirt trail. There are more hiking options along the mountain ridge above Gori Jvari and there a number of ruined churches scattered through the area.
There are a growing number of shops in Gori where tourists can find Georgian crafts and gifts for prices that are cheaper than in Tbilisi. The Stalin Museum offers a limited number of kitschy souvenirs in their main lobby. Small shops are also popping up in the city center. One good bet is the underground pedestrian tunnel below Stalin Square. Shop No. 14 in the underground offers a variety of handmade Georgian crafts made by local street children at a Gori-based NGO.
Icons and other religious paraphernalia can be purchased at the shop beside the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin. These can make for interesting gifts. Shops along Chavchavadze Street (running perpendicular to Stalin Avenue) sell Georgian jewelry and icons as well.
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There is not much nightlife in Gori and the bars and restaurants are basically one and the same. Almost all the restaurants listed above offer Russian and Georgian beers as well as Georgian wines of varying quality. One standout is Orbi's Restaurant, which offers a local brew for 70 tetri a pint. In the summer, beer tents pop up around town and offer the usual selection. But to really enjoy a summer evening in Gori, it's best buy a bottle of beer or wine at a store and join the crowds of young people at the ''birzhas'' by the Stalin Museum and Stalin Park. Some of the nicer stores in town are beginning to offer imported beers, but be sure to check the expiration date on the bottle.
Gori is conveniently only about an hour away from Tbilisi by marshrutka, so it is possible to visit Gori and Uplistsikhe as a day trip. There are not many commercial opportunities for overnight stays, though the options are improving. Staying in Gori does present a cheaper alternative to Tbilisi, and can be a pleasant change of pace from the capital.
This is an odd point, but one that deserves attention: relatively few people in the world "cherish" the memory of the 20th century's greatest mass murderer, but most that do live in Gori. Try to avoid denigrating their hometown hero. Gori is a small, poor city and its residents really do not want to listen to foreigners "attacking" their "heritage."
Visitors to local churches should respect Orthodox customs. Women should wear longer skirts and cover their head (either with a hat or with a head scarf). Some churches will provide this for you. Foreigners are generally welcomed, but be mindful of those worshiping.
Taxis are most easily hailed by approaching bored looking men sitting in cars on the main square; if you have any trouble, just ask anyone, "Sahd ah-rees tahk-see?" and they will get you a ride. Marshrutkas back to Tbilisi take off approximately every half-hour from Gori's bus station located beside the central bazaar (3.50 lari for bus, 4 lari for marshrutka; 1.5 hours). If you've missed the Tbilisi-bound marshrutkas for the day, ask someone for a ride up to the highway where you can just flag down any marshrutka or bus heading east towards Tbilisi. Taxi rides from the center to the highway generally cost 5 lari; alternately, you can stop city marshrutkas Nos. 6 or 24 along Chavchavadze Street and ride to the highway for 30 tetri.
If you're traveling west, there are daily direct buses and marshrutkas to Kutaisi, Borjomi, and Batumi. Timetables are posted in the bus station. All westbound vehicles pass through the transport hub in Khashuri, so you can take a marshrutka to Khashuri departing every half hour (2 lari, 1 hour) and transfer to another one from there. The Tbilisi-Batumi night train (15-25 lari to Batumi, 7 hours) passes through Gori at 11:30PM. Tickets can be purchased only one hour in advance, so be sure to show up to the train station early.
There are also hourly north-bound buses during the day from the main bus station to the villages north of Gori on the road to Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia. However, since the South Ossetian conflict in August 2008, crossing the border is very difficult, and there are security concerns in the area around the border.