Gori, is located 47 miles west of Georgia`s capital, Tbilisi, at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Greater Liakhvi rivers. The town is known most notably as the birthplace of Joseph Stalin and, further back in time, its tumultuous history as a military stronghold in the Middle Ages. It. A statue of Stalin was present in front of the Town Hall, until it was removed in 2010 to signify a withdrawal from the Soviet influence. Sweeping views of the modern city that Gori has transformed into today can be caught from the Gori Fortress, built atop a hill at the centre of the city.  Hike up yet another hill to discover the St. George`s church of Gori Jvari, a place of pilgrimage worshipped by the locals even today. A bit away is Uplistsikhe, once a bustling cave city over 3000 years ago. It would be advisable to engage a Gori tour guide to have a better understanding of this ancient city especially the amphitheater the church and what one would believe to be the pharmacy at that time!   Do keep some time in hand to visit other places in Gori, such as the Joseph Stalin Museum, or the former Georgian Agrarian Science Academy Branch, now known as Sukhishvili University.