Rediscovering ‘Europe’s Hidden Gem’

The author researched Gori’s Stalin Museum through site visits, archival sources and contemporary debates, evaluating its architecture, collections and contested role in Georgian memory. The paper argues for preserving and rebranding the site – as a Museum of the Stalin Era – with critical interpretation rather than veneration. It assesses visitor trends, comparative heritage practices and community events to show how the museum can educate about Soviet crimes while contributing to cultural tourism and civic reflection.