J.Stalin's Underground Printing House Museum
J.Stalin's Underground Printing House Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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- 300 Aragveli • 6 min walk
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4.5
106 reviews
Excellent
75
Very good
22
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
3
mel7155
Singapore, Singapore1,344 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Wanted to visit the underground museum of this horrible man to know more about his life . Didn’t know that the caretaker was just as horrible as the namesake of this museum .
There is no opening and closing hours information online . So made my way there and knocked at the gate . The undertaker , shouted “not open!” . Then he showed a sign saying if will only open on 13 May from 1000-1600hrs . Then he complained about how horrible the present government is as it is a capitalist government . He looked at me and assumed I was from China and then said, “China good, communist country “ . Then he asked me to go away . All the while muttering the wonders of China .
By the. I was annoyed and told him that I am from Singapore and not China . His demeanor changed even more and he said, Singapore no good, capitalist and told me to go away .
Hence if you want to be insulted if you come from a ‘capitalist’ country , then visit this museum . If you want to support this type of behavior, then visit this museum . To me, I rather not pay any fees and visit this museum and get judged by which country you come from .
There is no opening and closing hours information online . So made my way there and knocked at the gate . The undertaker , shouted “not open!” . Then he showed a sign saying if will only open on 13 May from 1000-1600hrs . Then he complained about how horrible the present government is as it is a capitalist government . He looked at me and assumed I was from China and then said, “China good, communist country “ . Then he asked me to go away . All the while muttering the wonders of China .
By the. I was annoyed and told him that I am from Singapore and not China . His demeanor changed even more and he said, Singapore no good, capitalist and told me to go away .
Hence if you want to be insulted if you come from a ‘capitalist’ country , then visit this museum . If you want to support this type of behavior, then visit this museum . To me, I rather not pay any fees and visit this museum and get judged by which country you come from .
Written 7 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
livinglifetothefull1
Hertfordshire, UK1,076 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
What a hidden gem. We were lucky our tour guide translated for us as the communist party member who showed us around did not speak English. This was my favourite place in Tbilisi. If you are interested in WW2 don’t miss it.
Written 9 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl P
5 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Extremely interesting! Real hands-on history with exceptional and enthusiastic personal service! The tour guy was truly fun and knowledgeable!! There is much to learn here. The guide was very creative in taking photos of us during the tour. He was so kind to me and called me Mister America, lol. This is a great place to learn about Josef Stalin. Well worth it!! Very inexpensive too!
Written 20 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hcmjkm
Houston, TX721 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
As noted in other reviews, this is the headquarters of the Communist Party of Georgia, and pretty much solely staffed by Jules, its Vice Chairman. He is a classic in and of himself; ensconced in his 1960s-era soviet style office, with framed pictures of Lenin, Stalin, and the current party leader, as well as flags and maps, notably showing the Soviet Empire at its apex, with its “pink bit” stretching across the world from all of the Soviet republics to Cuba.
He speaks Russian, not English, but patiently repeats things with elaborate hand gestures in the eager hope his guests will appreciate the magnificence of the movement. He happily tried to explain how the communist emblem included areas such as “the Crimea and Ossetia”, which form part of the reason this museum is more interesting to tourists than to Georgians, who don’t appreciate this monument to Soviet domination of their homeland. This helps to explain the peeling paint, rotting ceilings, patched-together exposed wiring, and why they really can use your 10 lari per person donation.
We were delighted to pay, because this place is an invaluable piece of world history and mind blowing to enter. We had heard of Stalin’s brilliantly constructed cabin in Tbilisi, where he produced the first communist propaganda in a hidden sub-basement accessible only via a waterwell in a nearby pumphouse, where he could be lowered thirty feet down the well to a horizontal passageway which in turn led to a verical shaft where he could then climb a ladder to reach another passageway leading into the sub-basement where the German-built printing press was housed.
Thankfully, today they have installed a stairway and light shaft so that visitors need not break necks to reach this amazing place, where the deadly and human spirit-killing notion of soviet communism spread, and from where the most notorious leader of that movement got his political start. To stand in that cold and musty room, next to the terribly rusted printing press as the current party leader explained how a still-extant rusty wire in the ceiling carried an alarm signal from the house above when police or other threatening people might enter, was chilling both physically and mentally.
As the tour continues, Jules takes you upstairs to the cabin, showing the living and meeting room and the bedroom, including what to me was the most haunting sight of all, a small bed where Stalin slept peacefully as he presumably dreamed of what he’d eventually do to others on his way to the top of the heap.
As we entered the cabin door, we noticed a string attached to the door and stretching back overhead, across the yard, and through a crack under a partly open window in the main building, to Jules’ office. He explained this system will alert him if anyone enters the cabin without his knowledge, since there are no guards or other staff.
Finally, our communist party host took us back into the main dark building where numerous exhibits attested to the rise of Stalin and the world soviet movement. Stacks of old “Pravda” newspapers were scattered in several rooms. Jules lingered at one notable exhibit showing atrocities of non-Soviet groups: executions by the Czarists, Germans, and gruesome photos from the Rape of Nanking by the Chinese. Despite this attempt at moral equivalence, there seemed to be a dearth of evidence of the 20 million non combatants killed by Stalin.
Finally Jules brought us to a huge wall map with lights in the locations of the world’s communist party headquarters and showed, as he switched the map on and a mechanical humming began as a growing number of lights lit up-the growth plan for the worker’s revolution that turned out, after all, to impoverish or kill everyone it touched other than its leaders.
Still, Jules was a gracious host and brought history alive in a way that could never happen in a fully funded clean museum that would miss the irony of the moment when Jules cheerfully explained that our donations were necessary because “look the building problems, no money here, and you capitalists; have money!”
Give them some money and keep this time warp alive! Hope you find this review helpful.
He speaks Russian, not English, but patiently repeats things with elaborate hand gestures in the eager hope his guests will appreciate the magnificence of the movement. He happily tried to explain how the communist emblem included areas such as “the Crimea and Ossetia”, which form part of the reason this museum is more interesting to tourists than to Georgians, who don’t appreciate this monument to Soviet domination of their homeland. This helps to explain the peeling paint, rotting ceilings, patched-together exposed wiring, and why they really can use your 10 lari per person donation.
We were delighted to pay, because this place is an invaluable piece of world history and mind blowing to enter. We had heard of Stalin’s brilliantly constructed cabin in Tbilisi, where he produced the first communist propaganda in a hidden sub-basement accessible only via a waterwell in a nearby pumphouse, where he could be lowered thirty feet down the well to a horizontal passageway which in turn led to a verical shaft where he could then climb a ladder to reach another passageway leading into the sub-basement where the German-built printing press was housed.
Thankfully, today they have installed a stairway and light shaft so that visitors need not break necks to reach this amazing place, where the deadly and human spirit-killing notion of soviet communism spread, and from where the most notorious leader of that movement got his political start. To stand in that cold and musty room, next to the terribly rusted printing press as the current party leader explained how a still-extant rusty wire in the ceiling carried an alarm signal from the house above when police or other threatening people might enter, was chilling both physically and mentally.
As the tour continues, Jules takes you upstairs to the cabin, showing the living and meeting room and the bedroom, including what to me was the most haunting sight of all, a small bed where Stalin slept peacefully as he presumably dreamed of what he’d eventually do to others on his way to the top of the heap.
As we entered the cabin door, we noticed a string attached to the door and stretching back overhead, across the yard, and through a crack under a partly open window in the main building, to Jules’ office. He explained this system will alert him if anyone enters the cabin without his knowledge, since there are no guards or other staff.
Finally, our communist party host took us back into the main dark building where numerous exhibits attested to the rise of Stalin and the world soviet movement. Stacks of old “Pravda” newspapers were scattered in several rooms. Jules lingered at one notable exhibit showing atrocities of non-Soviet groups: executions by the Czarists, Germans, and gruesome photos from the Rape of Nanking by the Chinese. Despite this attempt at moral equivalence, there seemed to be a dearth of evidence of the 20 million non combatants killed by Stalin.
Finally Jules brought us to a huge wall map with lights in the locations of the world’s communist party headquarters and showed, as he switched the map on and a mechanical humming began as a growing number of lights lit up-the growth plan for the worker’s revolution that turned out, after all, to impoverish or kill everyone it touched other than its leaders.
Still, Jules was a gracious host and brought history alive in a way that could never happen in a fully funded clean museum that would miss the irony of the moment when Jules cheerfully explained that our donations were necessary because “look the building problems, no money here, and you capitalists; have money!”
Give them some money and keep this time warp alive! Hope you find this review helpful.
Written 29 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Winsome66
South Africa296 contributions
Jan 2019
I consider the Stalin Underground Printing House Museum to be one of the most important historical locations in the city and in the nation of Georgia. This will be of interest to those who are history lovers, keen on following an historical trail of critical events and people involved in shaping the history of a nation. Whilst it is fully understood how Georgians feel about this 'negative part' of their history, it is however a place that is of historical importance and ought to be preserved for future generations and of course, for foreigners who are curious about the Georgia's past and the beginnings of a conspiracy which impacted not only Georgia but many other countries which became part of a diabolical system.
This museum is situated very close to the city centre and is very accessible with the public buses and on foot. It is not openly advertized or talked about but I would highly recommend it to all those who are touring around Tbilisi or travleing through the country. The actual location of the museum is considered to be the Georgian Communist Pary headquarters. The tour guide speaks Russian so it is advisable to take someone who can translate. However, although we did not take a translator along, we were able to understand what the guide told us about events, people and places. She was really nice and did her best to simplify the information. Photos are allowed so take a good camera along to take pictures.
Basically, this museum is centred around Stalin and the beginnings of a conpsiracy to overthrow the Russian emperor, through the propogation of material that was printed and circulated and which called for the removal of the Russian emperor (Tsar). The young man (himself brainwashed by Marxism and Communism) was Joseph Stalin, who used these premises to print material that initiated an anti-Russian imperial domination movement. You will see the secret well, a miniature design of the house, the printing machine and other items, documents, photos, books which have been preserved and they will demonstrate how these premises and its secret activities were protected.
This museum is not funded by the Georgian (for obvious reasons) so you can leave a donation, if you wish and sign the guestbook before you leave. Just a few final words " let this place serve as a 'monument' for the Georgians, that never again should there be a brainwashed Georgian instigating a conspiracy against the government but rather in the future, let there be an individual, a true visionary for the Georgian nation who will bring freedom, unity, peace, fairness and justice for all and work with others for the progress and advancement of the nation whilst preserving the Georgian culture, identity and the land.
This museum is situated very close to the city centre and is very accessible with the public buses and on foot. It is not openly advertized or talked about but I would highly recommend it to all those who are touring around Tbilisi or travleing through the country. The actual location of the museum is considered to be the Georgian Communist Pary headquarters. The tour guide speaks Russian so it is advisable to take someone who can translate. However, although we did not take a translator along, we were able to understand what the guide told us about events, people and places. She was really nice and did her best to simplify the information. Photos are allowed so take a good camera along to take pictures.
Basically, this museum is centred around Stalin and the beginnings of a conpsiracy to overthrow the Russian emperor, through the propogation of material that was printed and circulated and which called for the removal of the Russian emperor (Tsar). The young man (himself brainwashed by Marxism and Communism) was Joseph Stalin, who used these premises to print material that initiated an anti-Russian imperial domination movement. You will see the secret well, a miniature design of the house, the printing machine and other items, documents, photos, books which have been preserved and they will demonstrate how these premises and its secret activities were protected.
This museum is not funded by the Georgian (for obvious reasons) so you can leave a donation, if you wish and sign the guestbook before you leave. Just a few final words " let this place serve as a 'monument' for the Georgians, that never again should there be a brainwashed Georgian instigating a conspiracy against the government but rather in the future, let there be an individual, a true visionary for the Georgian nation who will bring freedom, unity, peace, fairness and justice for all and work with others for the progress and advancement of the nation whilst preserving the Georgian culture, identity and the land.
Written 6 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
archil a
Tbilisi, Georgia680 contributions
Sept 2016 • Friends
Back to USSR. Underground press. Interesting place. The museum is supported by the enthusiasm. Payment - how much is not greedy. Very interesting train wagon on the museum grounds. Even then, it had air conditioning and a large bathroom.
Written 16 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David M
Perth, Australia1,397 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
Difficult place to find, but at Kaspi St, 7, Tbilisi, Georgia, phone 2746821. A very simple looking brick building totally out of place in Tbilisi. But very interesting, place is very basic and a bit grubby but sort of screams post Stalin Soviet Union. The gentleman showing me around was very nice, and the second in charge of the local Communist Party. This place is unknown to every Georgian, old and young, that I talked too, this relic from the past is not well supported. There is an underground room accessible from a very rusted stair, so be careful. This is where an old printing press has been placed, where Stalin and his Bolshevik comrades printed revolutionary documents. The original access was down the well, then 14.7m down a tunnel, then up a vertical shaft to the room. This is a very interesting place, and I came away feeling a bit guilty about supporting a relic that many Georgians want to forget and move on.
Written 23 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raja S
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates166 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
We landed up totally unsure of what to expect but it turned out to be quite a pleasant experience. Although , we took bolt( taxi) and reached the location as indictaed by the map, we found it difficult to get to the place as such. People living in the vicinity did not seem to have any clue about this place - I must say it was a very well guarded secret !!! A very old gentleman ( he was 79 YO ) welcomed us and collected 15 GEL as fees for showing us around and introduced himself as communist party member for georgia region in the erstwhile USSR and underlined the fact that he was no. 2 in the hierarchy of the party ( and he repeated this quite often ). So, he started with showing pictures of stalin and also showed us a painting which is a 3 D painting ( it shows different pictures of stalin when seen from 3 different angles ). It was superb. Later , we were taken to a old shed like structure and in there was a gaping hole . Apparently , this hole was a secret tunnel used by stalin which led to a underground printing press which was used by stalin to publish his material for the party purposes. The tunnel went 8 metres down and then 2 metres to the right and then went up 3-4 metres or so which then led to a chamber which housed the press ( german made). It was quite an interesting little narration ,although he spoke very little english, we could understand more or less all that he needed to convey. It was amazing that Stalin could carry out all that he did with so much struggle. Hard to imagine !! Apparently, there was a lady ( from the communist party ) who lived nearby and kept an eye on any possible crackdown and when the police did come she had informed the occupants well in advance and they were able to escape before police detonated the place.
Written 26 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JGS501
19 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
I have seen my share of old Soviet museums, but this is one of the most memorable.
The guide is the vice chairman of the Georgian Communist Party and very full of energy and fire for his age.
The most interesting part though was the reconstruction of the underground printing press in the back yard. Fascinating.
This is not just about Stalin, it's about the struggle for social change and looking at those rooms one can begin to understand what people sacrifice to pursue ideals.
The guide is the vice chairman of the Georgian Communist Party and very full of energy and fire for his age.
The most interesting part though was the reconstruction of the underground printing press in the back yard. Fascinating.
This is not just about Stalin, it's about the struggle for social change and looking at those rooms one can begin to understand what people sacrifice to pursue ideals.
Written 25 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
leapeagle
Riga, Latvia30 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
I don't normally add reviews for museums or "other places of interest" but this museum is exceptional and I would encourage people to visit.
The museum is not really a museum, the location has not been cleaned or gentrified and does not "benefit" from interactive displays or a gift shop.
What it has is an excellent guide and items of real historical interest.
The museum is not really a museum, the location has not been cleaned or gentrified and does not "benefit" from interactive displays or a gift shop.
What it has is an excellent guide and items of real historical interest.
Written 21 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes. It helps to call ahead, the guide has been around since Stalin, so....579408736
Written 23 September 2018
Hi, What is the entrance fee and the opening hours of this attraction?
Is there any website?
Thank you!
Written 22 September 2017
Hi this is a free museum , but an old guy guide you and show the places in the museum , it is good to pay him 5-10lari in the end . I myself gave him 20 , that was amazing and I learned a lot there ;)
the people down there are amazing
Written 22 September 2017
TBH i didnt see any specific hours while visiting, i went there around 4!
the location is at Kaspi St, 7, Tbilisi, Georgia
Written 20 March 2017
Toma A
Tbilisi, Georgia
можно пожалуйста ваш номер телефона чтобы связаться с вами ?
Written 20 March 2015
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