Katskhi Pillar
A 40 m limestone pillar near Chiatura topped by a tiny hermit church, where a monk lived on the summit for about 20 years.
Katskhi PillarPhoto: Jaba1977, improvements by Giorgi Balakhadze, CC BY-SA 4.0The Katskhi Pillar is a natural limestone monolith about 40 m high, rising from a wooded hillside above the Katskhura valley near the village of Katskhi, a short drive from Chiatura. On its flat summit, about 150 square metres, stand a small church, hermit cells and a wine cellar, reached by a long steel ladder. Locals call it the Pillar of Life. A monastery at the foot of the rock has a chapel and the monks' quarters, and you can walk around the base for different views of the pillar.
Visitors cannot climb the pillar: since 2012 the ladder has been closed to the public for safety, and only the monks go up. Even from below, the church perched on the rock is a remarkable sight. For the best angle, walk up the slope opposite the pillar or bring binoculars or a zoom lens. Katskhi pairs naturally with Chiatura's cable cars and Mgvimevi Monastery on a day trip from Kutaisi.
History
The ruins on the summit date to the 9th or 10th century, when the rock was a retreat for stylites, ascetics who lived on pillars. A 13th-century inscription records a man named Giorgi building three hermit cells there. The site was later abandoned, and the first modern climb was documented in 1944. Religious life returned in 1995, when the monk Maxime Qavtaradze settled on the summit, where he lived for about 20 years. The church and cells were restored between 2005 and 2009.
What to see and do
- The church on top of the 40 m pillar
- The monastery and chapel at the foot of the rock
- The view from the slope opposite the pillar
- An easy pairing with Chiatura's cable cars
How to visit
Getting there
Near Katskhi village, about 15 minutes by car from Chiatura and roughly 1.5 hours from Kutaisi. From Tbilisi it is about 3 hours by car.
When to go
April–October. Plan 45 minutes–1 hour here.
- You cannot climb the pillar; only the monks use the ladder
- Bring binoculars or a zoom lens to see the summit church
- Dress modestly: covered shoulders and knees; women should cover their hair and wear a skirt (wraps are usually available at the door)
- Combine with Chiatura and Mgvimevi Monastery
Katskhi Pillar: FAQ
Can you climb the Katskhi Pillar?
No. The ladder has been closed to visitors since 2012 for safety reasons. Only the monks who look after the summit church go up.
Does a monk live on top of the Katskhi Pillar?
The monk Maxime Qavtaradze lived on the summit for about 20 years after settling there in 1995. Today a small monastic community lives at the foot of the rock and looks after the church on top.
Tours that include Katskhi Pillar
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Katskhi Pillar.
