Gori

Gori

16.85 km²

total area

45 557 people

population

mild climate

climate

shida kartli

region

Why Gori?

Gori is the heart of the Georgian East.

In the picturesque Kartli valley, where two rivers, the stormy Bolshaya Liakhvi and the full-flowing Kura, are reunited, Gori is spread out. The ancient settlement is surrounded by picturesque mountains (from the south and from the west), covered with rich vegetation. About 48 thousand people live in the city, which has become the heart of Shida Kartli.

The city of Gori is located in the very center of Georgia, at the confluence of the Kura and Bolshaya Liakhvi rivers. It is separated from Tbilisi by 76 km, and from Tskhinvali – 33. Today, the population of Gori is about 48,000 people. It is worth saying that the number of people living in the city is constantly decreasing: if in 1989 there were 70,000 people living here, then in 2014 there were already 54,780. Young people move to large cities in search of a better life.

Gori is one of the most ancient cities in Georgia. The first mention of the village of Gori dates back to the third century BC, and the first mention of the city dates back to the 8th century AD.

The name Gori is directly related to its appearance – in the very center of the city there are several rocks (goraki), on which the remains of ancient Goristsikhe are located.

Flight

The flight is carried out to Tbilisi. The city is located 76 km from the capital of Georgia. You can get from Tbilisi to Gori in the following ways: minibus, taxi, train. Before departure, you must provide a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19

Weather

Gori is located in the tropical zone and has a mild climate, so it rarely gets cold here. The average temperature in January is -3°C, in July - 25°C. The most favorable months to visit are May, June, September. It is in late spring and early autumn that the weather is best for long walks around Gori: the sun no longer bakes so much, but there is still no snow and rain. But the least favorable months for a holiday in the city of Stalin are: January, February, November, December. At this time of the year in Georgia, as in our country, it is quite cold.

Accommodation

If you are not passing through the city, you can choose an overnight stay in advance, however, there are not many hotels in the city. We analyzed them and tried to choose the most optimal hotels in terms of price-quality ratio according to various criteria here

Attractions

Uplistsikhe
Fortress Goristsikhe
Atenian Zion
ancient theater

Interesting

Uplistsikhe

Uplistsikhe is an ancient city carved into the rock. It is located 12 km from the city of Gori in Georgia. Its history is amazing: the city arose at the end of the 2nd - at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. e., experienced many ups and downs, and in the 19th century was finally abandoned by people. For almost a hundred years, the village remained forgotten, and only in the early 50s of the 20th century, historians showed interest in cultural and historical values. Today it is an ancient archaeological site, which is a symbol of Georgian culture. There is something to see in Uplistsikhe - it consists of more than 700 caves, enclosed by moats and walls that protected the city in ancient times. Uplistsikhe, according to the ancient tradition of Georgia, had a secret tunnel, a water supply system, as well as a road to the mountains, created specifically for pedestrians.

Fortress Goristsikhe

The fortress is located on a high hill and is located in the north of Gori. It can be considered a “guiding star” for tourists, because this attraction can be seen from any part of the city. Unfortunately, in 1920, during one of the strong earthquakes, the fortress was badly damaged, and if it is not restored in the next 20-30 years, it will completely disappear from the face of the Earth. It is not possible to determine the exact time of the construction of the fortress, however, scientists suggest that construction began around the 16th century. Fortress walls The fortress keeps many secrets: archaeologists suggest that there used to be a church here, and nearby there was a dungeon where prisoners were kept. However, the Goristsikhe fortress should be visited not only by history buffs, but also by those who admire the local nature and architecture. Photos of the city of Gori are amazing: from a high hill, the city lies at a glance, and you can see everything, even the smallest, streets, houses and picturesque valleys near Gori - it's worth seeing.

Atenian Zion

Atensky Zion is an ancient monastery located 10 km from the Georgian city of Gori. Previously, the temple stood in the middle of the large city of Ateni in the Tana Gorge, but in the 19th century people left this place. Scientists are sure that the monastery was built in the 7th century, and since then many believers and tourists have been flocking to it every day. Inside the temple, you can see many frescoes and inscriptions made in the Mkhedruli and Khutsuri scripts. The monastery survived many troubles: it was attacked and burned by enemies more than once, but this, fortunately, did not prevent the ancient drawings on the walls of the temple from being preserved. It is also worth visiting Ateni in order to admire the nature of the city, which is not yet "littered" with modern technologies, but remains in its original form. Where is the attraction: 10 km from Gori, the ruined city of Ateni. How much: Free. Opening hours: 9.00 - 18.00. Features: in order to make the tour really interesting, hire a guide in advance, because you will not meet a soul in the dead city of Ateni But the least favorable months for a holiday in the city of Stalin are: January, February, November, December. At this time of the year in Georgia, like ours, it is quite cold.​