The Mysterious Katskhi Pillar
Perched precariously in the Imereti region of western Georgia, near the mining town of Chiatura, stands a striking natural limestone monolith known as The Katskhi Pillar. This towering column, rising approximately 40 metres (131 feet) above the landscape, is not merely a geological anomaly but a profound testament to centuries of religious devotion and extreme isolation.
Often referred to by locals as the ”Pillar of Life,” it holds a unique place in Georgian history, serving as a spiritual sanctuary for ascetics seeking a closer connection to the divine. The story of The Katskhi Pillar is a captivating narrative of ancient pagan worship evolving into a focal point for Christian hermits, culminating in the remarkable modern history of a solitary monk who chose this aerial existence.
Ancient Roots and Asceticism
The history of the Katskhi Pillar extends far beyond the Christian era. Archaeological findings suggest the site was venerated as a pagan fertility site long before the advent of Christianity in Georgia. However, with the spread of the Orthodox faith, the pillar took on a new, more solitary significance. It became a dwelling for stylites—Christian ascetics who lived atop pillars to escape worldly temptations and dedicate themselves entirely to prayer and meditation.
This extreme form of monasticism, known as stylitism, flourished in the region, particularly influenced by Saint Simeon the Stylite. By the 6th century, the Katskhi Pillar had become a hermitage. The earliest structures on the summit are believed to date from the 6th to the 10th centuries.
These early inhabitants endured incredible hardship, living a life of isolation high above the ground, relying on ropes and makeshift scaffolding for access and supplies. While the precise details of their existence remain shrouded in time, their dedication transformed the pillar into a symbol of spiritual transcendence.
The Mysteries of the Summit
Despite its prominence in local folklore, The Katskhi Pillar remained largely inaccessible and unstudied for centuries. An 18th-century account by Prince Vakhushti, a Georgian scholar, mentioned the church on the pillar’s summit but noted that nobody was able to ascend it. It was not until 1944 that the first documented ascent was made by a team led by mountaineer Alexander Japaridze.
What the climbers found on the 150-square-metre plateau was astonishing: the ruins of two medieval churches, hermit cells, a crypt, and even the remnants of a wine cellar (kvevri). The discovery of a 13th-century inscription, paleographically dated, confirmed the ongoing religious activity well into the Middle Ages.
The presence of the wine cellar, however, complicated the understanding of the hermits’ extreme asceticism, suggesting a slightly less austere life than initially assumed, or perhaps reflecting the deep-rooted Georgian tradition of winemaking even in remote religious sites. The ruins, particularly those of the church dedicated to Saint Maximus the Confessor, revealed a complex and sophisticated hermitage.
The Monk of Katskhi: Father Maxime
After centuries of silence, the Katskhi Pillar experienced a dramatic revival in the 1990s. In 1993, an Orthodox monk named Maxime Qavtaradze, a native of Chiatura, decided to take up residence on the summit, seeking to renew the ancient stylite tradition. Father Maxime’s story captured global attention, embodying a modern-day anchorite seeking solitude and spiritual purification in the most challenging of environments.
With the aid of local villagers and state funding, the ruined monastic chapel on the summit was meticulously restored. A precarious iron ladder, famously dubbed the ”Stairway to Heaven,” was installed, allowing access to the top. For over two decades, Father Maxime lived in a small cottage and the renovated chapel, coming down only occasionally—often just twice a week—to pray at the monastery church of Saint Simeon Stylites located at the base of the pillar, and to receive supplies.
His commitment to this solitary life served as a powerful symbol of faith and detachment from the modern world. Father Maxime also provided counsel to troubled young men at the base of the pillar, bridging his isolated existence with a ministry to those in need.
Architectural and Structural Complex
The structures found at The Katskhi Pillar, both on the summit and at the base, represent a profound integration of architecture and extreme geology. The complex includes the restored church of St. Maximus the Confessor at the top, along with hermit cells, a crypt, and a defensive wall. These buildings, though modest in scale, required immense effort to construct on the narrow platform.
At the base of the pillar, a monastery complex has developed, anchored by the church of Saint Simeon Stylites. This lower complex serves as a place of worship, study, and accommodation for monks and pilgrims. The contrast between the inaccessible church high above and the functioning monastery below underscores the duality of The Katskhi Pillar: a place of intense, isolated contemplation and a community of faith. The sheer difficulty of the terrain has always dictated the nature of the religious life practised here, making it one of the most uniquely isolated spiritual sites in the world.
Visiting The Katskhi Pillar
While The Katskhi Pillar is an essential stop for visitors to Georgia’s Imereti region, access to the summit is strictly limited. Following a mandate from Patriarch Ilia II, the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Church of Georgia, the iron ladder is now permanently locked to the public. Only monks are permitted to ascend the pillar. Despite this restriction, the site remains a deeply moving destination.
Visitors are welcome at the base of the pillar, where the monastery and the church of Saint Simeon Stylites are located. The surrounding area offers stunning views of the monolith and the Katskhura River valley. To reach Katskhi Pillar, visitors typically travel from Tbilisi or Kutaisi to the nearby town of Chiatura, from which local taxis or marshrutkas (minibuses) can be hired for the short journey to the village of Katskhi.