Katskhi pillar

Katskhi pillar is a natural limestone monolith in Imereti, western Georgia, rising roughly 40 metres above the local landscape with a small chapel and hermitage on its summit. The site is notable for its imposing vertical form and the tiny religious enclosure atop the pillar.

The summit once served as a hermitage and a site of ascetic practice, and the small chapel and associated ruins attest to its medieval religious use. The pillar has drawn attention for its unusual combination of natural geology and built religious architecture.

The summit chapel and hermit’s cell were restored and re-sanctified in the late 20th century, and the pillar is now visited for its cultural and geological uniqueness. Public access is limited and controlled for conservation and safety.

Located in the Imereti region of western Georgia, the pillar sits near the village of Katskhi within a rural limestone landscape and is visible from surrounding valleys.

• Height and summit structure: The freestanding limestone pillar rises roughly 40 metres above the surrounding plain and has a small religious structure on top.
• Access restrictions: Access to the top is tightly controlled and climbing is permitted only under regulated conditions to protect the site and for safety reasons.

What to See #

• Summit chapel: A small medieval chapel and hermit's cell sit on the summit of the pillar, reachable only by a narrow ascent and restored in the late 20th century.