A lonely limestone column rises from a green Imeretian valley near Chiatura: the Katskhi Pillar. About 40 metres tall, the shaft is crowned by a tiny chapel, a tower and cramped monastic cells that, from a distance, look like toys balanced on a giant’s fingertip. Up close those buildings reveal centuries of hermitic life, later repairs and a peculiar blend of geology and devotion that draws both pilgrims and curious visitors.
Why it matters
The pillar is a natural limestone residual monolith formed over millennia by erosion and uplift. People began using the summit for solitary prayer in the medieval period; archaeological traces suggest structures on the rock from as early as the 9th–10th centuries. In Christian tradition the site is linked to the True Cross and has attracted ascetics who prized the remoteness the pillar offered.
A brief history
The first recorded modern ascent was in 1944, when climbers documented three tiny hermit cells, a burial crypt and even a wine-storage niche near the summit. The pillar remained a quiet, semi-legendary place until a revival in the 1990s. An unlikely custodian emerged: Maxime Qavtaradze, a former crane operator who embraced monastic life and for more than twenty years lived on the pinnacle, carrying out partial restoration and drawing renewed attention to the site. In the years that followed heritage authorities, local religious communities and conservation teams worked together to stabilise the summit and manage access.
What was done and why
To supply the summit without endangering climbers or the fragile structures, teams installed a 40-metre metal ladder and a pulley system to lift food, water and materials. The summit complex was only partially rebuilt, deliberately respecting the site’s religious purpose and fragile archaeology. Qavtaradze descended for communal prayer just twice a week until he switched roles in 2015 and later served as a guide. Today, climbing the iron ladder is forbidden to the general public; only monks and authorised clergy are allowed to go up. That rule protects visitors and the pillar’s structural integrity.
What you’ll see at the base
At ground level there is a modest monastic complex open to visitors during daylight hours. A carved 6th‑century crucifix is embedded in the limestone near the entrance—one of the oldest Christian artifacts in situ in eastern Europe. A modern church dedicated to Simeon Stylites (built around 1999) contains icons and frescoes, and scattered ruins—walls and a ruined bell tower—trace the site’s long history of hermitage and parish worship. Lighting a candle before the ancient cross and looking up at the tiny church on the summit makes the contrast between human ritual and the pillar’s geological scale especially poignant.
Practicalities and getting there
Most visitors set out from Kutaisi, roughly an hour and a half by car. The drive crosses rolling woodlands and small villages; the final stretch becomes a dirt track that is usually passable in fair weather. Local minibuses (marshrutka) run toward Chiatura—tell the driver your stop so you aren’t left behind. From the rural junction it’s about a 20‑minute walk through trees before the pillar suddenly appears, a reveal many travellers describe as unexpectedly powerful. The site is generally open between 10:00 and 18:00 and entrance to the complex at the base is free. Facilities are limited; there’s no staffed ticket office, and custodians provide occasional on‑site information.
Visitor rules and conservation
The pillar is both an active place of prayer and a fragile archaeological site, so respectful behaviour is expected. Keep noise to a minimum, avoid attempting to climb the pillar, and follow directions from monastic staff and police when present. Photography is allowed but should not disturb worship. Conservation teams monitor the summit structures continuously and enforce access restrictions; they balance public interest with the need to preserve solitude and delicate fabric.
What to bring and what to expect
Wear sturdy shoes—the approach path is simple but uneven and can be muddy after rain. Carry water and plan your visit during opening hours. Early mornings offer the greatest chance of quiet and a meditative experience.
Why go
Katskhi Pillar appeals to travellers who love dramatic landscapes, layered history and quiet moments of reflection. Whether you come for geology, religious heritage or the sheer oddity of a tiny chapel perched on a vertical column, a respectful visit rewards with a rare and deeply visual encounter between human faith and ancient rock.