Tbilisi Secret Printing House: where the young Stalin printed the revolution

Beneath an apparently ordinary building in the heart of Tbilisi, a clandestine printing press operated in secret during the most turbulent years of resistance against the Tsarist Empire. In this basement, a young activist named Iosif Dzhugashvili — whom the world would later know as Stalin — printed revolutionary propaganda. The Secret Printing House is today one of Tbilisi's most unusual and least touristy museums.

imprenta histórica siglo XX — tipografía vintage máquina de imprimir clandestina
A clandestine printing press of the kind that operated in Tbilisi at the start of the 20th century

History: revolution printed underground

Between 1903 and 1906, the press operated in a basement dug beneath the home of an ordinary citizen. Distributing socialist pamphlets, leaflets and newspapers was illegal under Tsarism; a single sheet could cost years of imprisonment in Siberia. The printing house remained hidden from the Tsarist secret police (Okhrana) for three years, producing thousands of copies of revolutionary literature distributed across the region.

When the authorities finally discovered it in 1906, the press had already fulfilled its mission. The building was preserved and converted into a museum during the Soviet era, which used it to glorify Stalin as a revolutionary hero. Today it offers a more nuanced perspective on that historical period.

What to see in the museum

  • The original printing press with early 20th-century machinery
  • The clandestine basement where the press operated, accessible via a narrow staircase
  • Facsimile documents and pamphlets from the period
  • Photographs and information about the revolutionary movement in the Caucasus
museo histórico Tbilisi — exposición siglo XX historia soviética Georgia
The small museum preserves the original machinery and documents of the printing house

How to visit and why it is worth it

The Secret Printing House is on Kamo Street (near Tbilisi's old town). It is a small, uncrowded museum, perfect for visitors who have already seen the city's main attractions and want to explore its 20th-century political history in depth. Combine it with the Stalin Museum in Gori to understand the Soviet leader's figure from his Georgian origins. Admission: ~5 GEL.

Frequently asked questions

Was Stalin really at the Tbilisi Secret Printing House?

Yes, the young Iosif Dzhugashvili (Stalin) was active in Tbilisi's Bolshevik movement in the early 20th century and is believed to have been involved in the clandestine printing house's activities. It was one of the first years of his revolutionary political activity.

Is the Secret Printing House suitable for children?

Yes, the museum has an educational format and the story of the underground press can be fascinating for children aged 10 and above who are interested in history. The basement space is small and slightly claustrophobic.

What languages is the Secret Printing House museum in?

The main information is in Georgian and Russian, with some explanations in English. A guide or audio guide is recommended to make the most of the visit.