Gori and Uplistsikhe Tour: Caves, Communism & Controversy

This full-day tour offers a fascinating and powerful journey into the heart of Central Georgia, contrasting 3,000 years of pagan and Christian history with the complex, controversial legacy of the Soviet era. You will explore the magnificent rock-hewn city of Uplistsikhe, one of Georgia’s oldest settlements, before traveling to Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin.This experience provides an unvarnished look at the extremes of Georgia’s past, from the ancient Silk Road trading hub carved into stone to the monumental, Soviet-era museum dedicated to one of the 20th century’s most polarizing figures.

Highlights:

• Uplistsikhe Cave Town
• Main Fortification
• Grand Cellar
• Church of Prince
• “Apothecary’s”
• Sacrificial Pits
• Stalin's Museum
• Stalin's personal railway carrieage
• Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta (VI c, UNESCO)
• Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta (XI c, UNESCO)

This full-day tour is a powerful exploration of the dramatic historical extremes found in Central Georgia. It takes you across 3,000 years, from a strategic ancient settlement carved directly into the rock face to the modern, controversial birthplace of a global historical figure.

1. Uplistsikhe Cave Town (The Ancient City) Our first and most stunning destination is Uplistsikhe, Georgia’s oldest cave city and one of the most important settlements on the Silk Road. Dating back to the early Iron Age (around 1000 BCE), this rock-hewn town was a major religious and political center, featuring intricate tunnels, ancient wine cellars (maranis), pagan ritual halls, and a 9th-century Christian basilica built directly into the rock. Wandering through Uplistsikhe offers a unique glimpse into the lives of Georgia’s ancestors and the gradual transition from paganism to Christianity.

2. Gori City and Fortress We then proceed to the city of Gori, a location steeped in both medieval and modern conflict. Gori’s history is best symbolized by the commanding Gori Fortress (Goriscikhe), a large medieval citadel towering over the city center, offering excellent panoramic views of the surrounding area. Gori is geographically situated at a critical crossroads, making it a key site for understanding the region’s geopolitical significance.

3. Joseph Stalin Museum (A Confrontation with History) The final and most compelling stop is the Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori, a powerful experience that explores one of the 20th century’s most polarizing legacies. The museum complex preserves the small, humble wooden hut where Stalin was born in 1878, as well as his personal armored railway carriage. Inside the main museum, the exhibits lead visitors through Stalin’s life, offering a profound, if sometimes controversial, look at the Soviet era and the profound impact he had on Georgia and the world. This visit serves as a vital historical lesson and a necessary confrontation with the complexities of totalitarianism.

On the way back to Tbilisi, the travellers will visit at first Jvari Monastery nearby from Mtskheta. The monument of VI century is included into the list of UNESCO. Then visit of Mtskheta city and masterpiece of Georgian architect – Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta (XI c, UNESCO)

At the end return back to Tbilisi and drop off at the hotel of traveller’s stay in Tbilisi.

Duration: 6-7 hours
Driving distance: 230 km
Season: All year around