Stalin Museum

The main building is a two-storey palazzo in Stalinist Gothic style, faced with Eklar stone. The lobby features red marble, and a large full-length statue of Stalin stands on the marble staircase. The exhibition spans six halls in chronological order: childhood in Gori, revolutionary activities, rise to power, World War II (photos from the Tehran, Yalta, and Potsdam conferences), gifts from around the world, and personal belongings including his Kremlin office furniture. In the fourth hall, between marble columns, sits Stalin's death mask – one of twelve copies, by sculptor Manizer.

A separate hall opened in 2010 covers the repressions – the only section that departs from the heroic narrative. Descriptions are in Georgian and partially in English; a guide helps for full context.

In front of the building, under a Greco-Italianate glass pavilion, stands the Dzhugashvili family's wooden house – the father rented one room and ran a cobbler's workshop in the basement. To the right of the museum is a green armoured Pullman carriage weighing 83 tonnes, used by Stalin from 1941 onwards. Inside: his office, bedroom, and bathroom, all preserved as they were.

Collection – over 60,000 items including documents, photographs, personal effects, and Kremlin office furniture

Armoured carriage – an 83-tonne Pullman used by Stalin for trips to the Yalta and Tehran conferences

Childhood home – the original wooden house where Stalin was born and lived until age 4, under a protective pavilion

Death mask – one of 12 copies by sculptor Manizer, displayed between marble columns

Repressions hall – opened in 2010, the only part of the museum offering a critical view of the Stalin era

Architecture – 1951 building in Stalinist Gothic style with a red marble lobby

A memorial museum in Stalin's birth house opened in 1937, during his lifetime. In 1951, architect Archil Kurdiani began building the main structure – a two-storey palazzo with a tower, officially intended as a museum of socialism but clearly designed as a memorial to Stalin, who died in 1953. The museum officially opened in 1957. The exhibition followed standard Soviet memorial practice – a heroic narrative with no mention of repressions.

After the collapse of the USSR, the museum was closed in 1989 but soon reopened as a tourist attraction. A hall covering repressions was added in 2010. The Stalin monument on the central square was removed in June 2010. In 2012, Gori's municipal assembly rejected plans to transform the museum into a museum of Soviet occupation. The museum still largely retains its Soviet-era presentation style.

In Gori (from bus/train station):

– The museum is at 32 Stalin Avenue – 10–15 minutes' walk from the bus station, 20 minutes from the railway station

– City taxi – 3–5 GEL

From Tbilisi (86 km, 1–1.5 hours):

– Shared minibus (marshrutka) from Didube – 5–7 GEL (~$2), every 20–30 minutes

– Train – 5–13 GEL (~$2–5), 1.5–2 hours

– Bolt taxi – 60–80 GEL (~$22–30)

– Day tour from Tbilisi (Mtskheta + Gori + Uplistsikhe) – from 80–120 GEL including transport and guide

Season: Open year-round. Spring and autumn are best for combining with the fortress and Uplistsikhe.

Time: Arrive at opening (10:00) to avoid groups. Peak hours – 11:00–14:00.

Duration: 1.5–2 hours for the full complex (halls, house, carriage). Without a guide – about 1 hour.

Note: Closed on Mondays.