Memorial Complex in Gurjaani – Monument “Father of a Soldier”, 4000 Names and an Open-Air Museum
Planning a trip to Kakheti? Be sure to include the war memorial and museum in Gurjaani in your itinerary. Here you will find a 20-meter sculpture of the "Father of a Soldier", a wall with the names of 4,000 soldiers, towers of symbols of war and a touching exhibition. Find out how to get there, when the museum is open, how much the entrance fee is, whether there are excursions and where to eat nearby. Save the article - this is one of the most impressive places in Eastern Georgia.
“You only have to stand at the foot of this 20-meter figure once – and you will never be able to forget either the war or those who did not return.”
🧭 What is this article about and why should you read it?
If you are interested in 🕊 history, especially the events of World War II, or 🧳 traveling in Kakheti, then the Memorial Museum of Glory in Gurjaani is a place that is definitely worth including in the itinerary. This article will help you plan your trip without unnecessary searching:
📍 Where is the Glory Memorial located - the exact address, map, GPS coordinates and a convenient route from Tbilisi and other cities.
🚌 How to get there — public transport, minibuses, taxis and by car.
🕒 When the museum is open and how much the entrance fee is — current schedule, ticket prices, discounts and free categories.
🗿 Who is the “Father of the Soldier” — the story of Giorgi Makharashvili and why his monument became a symbol of memory in Georgia.
🧱 What is the Wall of Eternity — how is it constructed, whose names are carved on it and why it will touch even the most callous.
🖼 What exhibits are presented in the museum - from paintings and archives to personal belongings of heroes and genuine war artifacts.
🍽 Where to stay and have a bite to eat nearby if you’re staying for 1–2 days — advice from the Madloba.info team.
💬 Reviews and impressions from other tourists so you can read honest opinions and share your experience.
🧡 This article is your mini-guide to one of the most touching and powerful memorials in Kakheti.
🏛 What is hidden in the Gurjaani Memorial of Glory - 4000 names, a bronze father and towers of time
The Memorial Museum of Glory in Gurjaani is not just a museum, but a place of power and silence, where people come not only to remember the dead, but also to feel history with their skin. It was opened on May 9, 1978 and occupies 2.5 hectares on a hill overlooking the Alazani Valley. From here you can see far, but memory goes even further.
✨ Symbols of pain, courage and hope
In the center of the memorial is a huge bronze statue of Giorgi Makharashvili, a simple peasant father, created by master Merab Berdzenishvili. This hero from the film "Father of a Soldier" has become a symbol of an entire nation. The monument weighs 80 tons and rises 20 meters - it is impossible not to notice it, but much more difficult not to feel it.
Behind the figure is the Wall of Eternity, where 4,000 names of missing soldiers are carved. It is also called the "wall of the homeless", because these names did not find their way home. Every year, on May 9, the Eternal Flame is lit here - a fire that cannot be extinguished by time or oblivion.
Year of opening
Symbol of 5 years of war
On the Wall of Eternity
Inside the museum
Monument weight
Monument height
Complex area
Eternal Flame lighting
🏰 Architecture, exhibitions and the green breath of memory
The entire area is designed as a single memorial complex. Five stone towers, stylized as Svan coolies, symbolize five years of war — from 1941 to 1945. These are not just design elements, but a temporary arch along which you walk through the chronicle of the war.
The memorial is surrounded by well-groomed greenery, shady paths and a view of the Alazani Valley. The entire space works for one emotion — silence. Not museum silence, but living silence. The silence in which you want to stay a little longer than you planned.
There is an amphitheater on the territory, where lectures, film screenings and meetings with veterans take place. Especially in the summer, it is a cozy, bright place where whole families come: someone remembers, someone learns, someone asks questions for the first time.
The museum itself stores 126 exhibits: orders, medals, paintings, front-line diaries, letters, personal belongings of war participants. The exhibition is built not on technology, but on human stories. There are many materials here about the contribution of the Georgian people to the fight against fascism. Each showcase is someone's fate.
💬 What visitors say
Maria, 32, Tbilisi: “This place touched me deeply. I just stood in front of the monument to the “Soldier’s Father” and couldn’t hold back my tears. Everything is very dignified, without unnecessary pathos. Thank you to those who preserved this.”
Irakli, 71, pensioner: “Every year we gather here. May 9 is not just a day, it’s a feeling. When the Eternal Flame is lit, everything freezes. Even children are quieter."
Lena, a tourist from Kyiv: "Georgians know how to remember. The exhibition is small, but very soulful. I was especially touched by the letters from the front and the diaries - such personal things, as if you were reading minds."
Niko, a schoolboy, 14 years old: "We were on an excursion. I really liked it, especially the towers - like in old movies. The teacher said that each tower is a year of the war. I remembered it."
Tamara, tour guide: "This is not just a job - it's a mission. When you tell children about each stone, you understand how important it is to preserve this place. Even adults listen with bated breath."
🗺 How to get there
🚗 The Glory Memorial Museum is located in the town of Gurjaani, in the Kakheti region, about 110 km from Tbilisi. There are several ways to get here:
🔹 By minibus: minibuses regularly depart from Tbilisi (from the Isani bus station) to Gurjaani. The journey takes about 2 hours.
🔹 By car: take the C5 highway through Tsinandali. The road is picturesque and well paved.
🔹 By taxi: the price depends on the service and the season, on average - from 80 to 120 GEL one way.
🍽 Where to eat and 🛌 where to stay near the Memorial
If you decide to stay in Gurjaani for a day or two, there will be no problems with food and accommodation here - the city, although small, is tourist-friendly.
🍴 Where to have a snack
After visiting the museum, it is worth stopping by one of the local cafes or restaurants. Near the memorial there are establishments with traditional Kakhetian cuisine. It is especially worth trying:
- 💠 mtsvadi (Georgian shashlik),
- 💠 pkhali from seasonal greens,
- 💠 burduchi - a local wine with character.
You can also eat outdoors - there are many green areas and benches in Gurjaani where tourists have mini-picnics.
🛌 Where to spend the night
For an overnight stay, any of the numerous:
- 🏨 cozy mini-hotels in the center of Gurjaani,
- 🏡 family guesthouses,
- 🛏 apartments that can be found through Booking or Airbnb are suitable.
📌 If you are traveling by car, it is better to choose accommodation closer to the memorial or in the center so that you can walk around the city in the evening.
💡 During the high season (May, September, holidays) it is better to book in advance - especially if you are planning to visit the museum on May 9, Victory Day, when there are many guests and organized groups.
Can I come with children?
👶 For kids: the area is safe, but you should bring water and a snack with you - there is a cafe nearby, but not on the territory itself.
🧒 Schoolchildren: the museum is great for educational excursions - there is a lot of visuals, everything is clear and interesting.
👨👩👧👦 For families: there is a place to sit, walk, take photos. The place is quiet, without fuss.
🚾 Toilets: available on the territory, but not in every corner - it is better to check with the staff.
📌 What to take with you - a quick checklist
- 💧 A bottle of water - there is not shade everywhere, and the territory is large.
- 🧢 Headwear and sun protection - especially important in the summer, in it's very hot at midday.
- 👟 Comfortable shoes — the terrain is uneven in places, and the walk will take time.
- 📸 A camera or a smartphone with a camera — great shots at sunset are guaranteed.
- 💵 Cash — entrance and excursion are paid on site, there may be no terminals.
- 🧻 Wet wipes, antiseptic — in case of a long journey or lack of amenities.
- 🗺 Offline map — no Wi-Fi, mobile communications work, but it is better to be prepared.
- 🧒 If with children — take a snack and water, a cafe nearby, but not on the territory.
- ♿ If there are restrictions on travel — find out in advance: part of the route is not adapted for strollers.
- 🚑 Just in case — the nearest pharmacy and medical center is in the center of Gurjaani (≈10 minutes by car).
It is dangerous and disrespectful to the memory of the fallen.
A place of memory - please maintain an atmosphere of silence.
It is better to leave pets at home or walk them on a leash.
This is a place for reflection, not for picnics with speakers.
🧑🏫 Excursion service is possible - the cost is only 3 GEL.
It is better to book in advance by phone or check at the entrance.
🔥 Every year on May 9, the Eternal Flame is lit on the territory. On this day, official events are held, veterans, schoolchildren, city residents and guests from other regions come.
🕊 Quiet days: if you want privacy, choose a weekday in the morning or late afternoon.
🗺 What else to see nearby
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Trinity Cathedral Gurjaani
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📢 Share your impressions!
Have you been to the Glory Memorial Museum in Gurjaani? What impressed you the most? Write in the comments — we collect real reviews to help other travelers.
If you notice that prices, schedules or conditions have changed — write to us , and we will promptly update the article for other travelers.
❓ Frequently asked questions
🕒 What time is the best to arrive?
The ideal time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon. It can be very hot at midday in summer, especially in the open part of the complex.
🎟 Do I need to book tickets in advance?
No, tickets are sold on site. The entrance fee is 2 GEL, a guided tour is 3 GEL. It is advisable to arrange a tour by phone in advance, especially if you are traveling in a group.
📸 Can I take photos?
Yes, photography is allowed. The best time to take photos is at sunset, when the "Father of the Soldier" monument looks especially majestic.
♿ Is the museum accessible to people with disabilities?
Partially. The main alley and entrance are accessible, but the climb to the towers and the Wall of Eternity can be difficult.
🍴 Is there a cafe or shop nearby?
There are no cafes on the museum grounds, but in the center of Gurjaani, just 5-7 minutes away by car, you can find restaurants and small grocery stores.
🚻 Are there toilets?
Yes, there are toilets, but they may not be obvious to visitors - it is better to ask the staff.
📶 Is there Wi-Fi?
There is no open network. Mobile Internet is stable, but if you plan to use a map, download it in advance.
🔥 What happens on May 9?
This is a special day. Every year, the Eternal Flame is lit here, official ceremonies are held, speeches are made, veterans, schoolchildren and locals come. The atmosphere is truly touching.
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