Among the many man-made and natural wonders of Georgia, the Katskhi Pillar occupies a special and distinguished place. This natural formation is remarkable both literally and figuratively. Towering above the hills of Imereti, this sheer, narrow rock rises to a height of 40 meters, with a summit measuring 10 by 17 meters. The pillar bears a distant resemblance to the Greek Meteora, where Orthodox monasteries are perched atop towering cliffs. However, unlike Meteora, the Katskhi Pillar stands solitary, like a finger pointing towards the sky.
The Katskhi Pillar was formed in prehistoric times, likely as a result of a powerful earthquake or tectonic shift that leveled a 40-45 meter hill. The central part of the hill, with its flat top, whimsically remained standing, a testament to nature’s playful design. As soon as humans settled in these lands, the pillar captured their attention. From the outset, this grand natural wonder was associated with the Divine and has been regarded as a sacred symbol throughout the ages.
A legend surrounds the formation of the Katskhi Pillar. In ancient times, the Almighty took a liking to this area and decided it would be the site of Eden. He commanded the heavenly angels to tend to the land: some were tasked with planting flowers, others with fruit trees, and still others with caring for animals. The angels cultivated this paradise. However, in one corner of this Eden, a large stone emerged from the earth, beneath which dwelled a massive, colorful serpent. The Almighty gazed upon the new Eden and, upon seeing the serpent, was filled with wrath. He stirred the earthly depths and flooded the serpent’s nest with hot mud, yet He could not calm His fury. From His anger, lava erupted from the ground where the serpent’s nest had been, cooling in the air and transforming into a stone pillar.
Before the adoption of Christianity in Georgia, the pillar was venerated by pagans. Christians later deemed that this creation should serve the clergy. Ruins of a temple and a monk’s cell, dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries, were discovered atop the pillar, along with the remains of clergy members. It is likely that monks—adherents of Christian asceticism—resided there, following the tradition of pillar-sitting, a practice founded by Saint Simeon the Stylite.
A sign that the pillar was “claimed” by Christians as early as the 6th century is the so-called “Bolnisi Cross,” which still stands at the foot of the rock. For a long time, the pillar was known only to the local populace. It was first mentioned in a written source by the Georgian prince and noted historian and geographer, Vakhushti Bagrationi, in the early to mid-18th century. A member of the royal family even attempted to climb the pillar, but his efforts were in vain, as the rock is deemed inaccessible without climbing gear.
In the summer of 1944, a research group led by Levan Gutua was organized to study the Katskhi Pillar. This team, consisting of scientists, historians, climbers, and writers, ventured to the Chiatura region to explore this “wonder of the country,” the long-forgotten Katskhi Pillar. The first person to reach the summit of this natural phenomenon was the renowned Georgian climber Alexander (Alesha) Japaridze, a member of the research team and the founder of the Georgian climbing school. Atop the pillar, they discovered:
It remains a mystery how the building materials and clay vessels were transported to the top, and the identities of the monks whose bones were discovered by the expedition members are unknown. The relics of the pillar-sitter, who died several centuries ago, were consecrated and placed in a shrine. They are still preserved at the summit, in a recently constructed single-nave basilica named after Simeon the Stylite.
Since 1977, efforts have been made to revive the Katskhi Pillar as a religious and natural monument. The Society for the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage, along with the villagers and clergy, began restoration work on the Katskhi Pillar. In 1997, villagers noticed a human figure atop the rock. It was Monk Father Maxim, who played an active role in the revival of the Katskhi Pillar as a religious and pilgrimage center in the early 21st century.
Today, the summit of the pillar serves as a monastery with a single monk—Father Maxim. A small church has been built there, and a metal staircase has been installed leading up to the summit. However, access to the top is strictly regulated; women are categorically prohibited from ascending, and even male tourists must obtain permission from Father Maxim before attempting the climb. In fact, the ascent is currently banned.