SOVIET REMNANTS

Georgia is a popular destination for USSR researches and Brutalist architecture enthusiasts. Even though the society still has strong anti-Soviet sentiments (there is even a Museum of the Soviet occupation), but many avant-garde and Stalinist-neoclassical monuments are included in the registry of cultural heritage sites and are under the protection of the State. Tbilisi, Gori, Chiatura and Tskaltubo have a lot to offer.

GORI, STALIN MUSEUM

The Joseph Stalin Museum is a museum in Gori, Georgia dedicated to the life of Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, who was born in Gori. The Museum retains its Soviet-era characteristics.

The main corpus of the complex is a large palazzo in Stalinist Gothic style, begun in 1951 ostensibly as a museum of the history of socialism, but clearly intended to become a memorial to Stalin, who died in 1953. The exhibits are divided into six halls in roughly chronological order, and contain many items actually or allegedly owned by Stalin, including some of his office furniture, his personal effects and gifts made to him over the years. There is also much illustration by way of documentation, photographs, paintings and newspaper articles. The display concludes with one of twelve copies of the death mask of Stalin taken shortly after his death.

The overall impression is that of a shrine to a secular saint, but still it is a very interesting for Soviet researchers. You just need to imagine that you are travelling in the past.

CHIATURA

Chiatura is a small town which was formed in 19th century along with the discovery and extraction of the rich Manganese deposits and flourished as a Soviet industrial town throughout 20th century. The town is famous for its dramatic landscape of plain rocks along the river and the remarkable industrial and Soviet architecture. Because of the difference in heights between the different parts of the town the complex system of the rope ways was developed in early 20th century and has been used as a main public as well as industrial transport in the town.

TSKALTUBO

Tskaltubo is a spa-resort in west Georgia famous for its mineral water used for healing numerous diseases. Tskaltubo was especially popular in the Soviet era, attracting around 125,000 visitors a year. Bathhouse 9 features a frieze of Stalin and visitors can see the private pool where he bathed on his visits. Tskaltubo's architecture is basically a synthesis of Stalinist period classical style and of Georgian ethnic decor with Gothic and Roman features.

SOVIET ARCHITECTURE IN TBILISI

Soviet era left its traces on the capital of Georgia as well. There are numerous interesting building to see. Building of the former Ministry of Highways, former Museum of Archaeology, former Technical Library, former Auditorium of the Industrial Technical College, former Central Aquatic Sports Center/Laguna Vere etc. You can even visit Joseph Stalin's underground printing house in Avlabari district.