Katskhi Pillar

• Highlights
• Perfect day
• Map & getting there
• Where to stay
• When to go
• Mistakes to avoid
• Quick answers

A church on a rock tower

Katskhi is a natural limestone monolith about 40 metres (130 feet) high, rising above the Katskhura river valley, about 5 km from Chiatura. On top there is a small church dedicated to Maximus the Confessor, a modern restoration of a ruined medieval church, with a crypt, hermit cells and a wine cellar.

Monks lived on the pillar in the Middle Ages, and the hermitage dates back to the 9th or 10th century. The first documented modern climb was in 1944. In the mid-1990s a monk, Maxime Qavtaradze, climbed up and began to restore the place. He is reported to have lived there for about 20 years, coming down only a couple of times a week.

The only way up is a steep iron ladder fixed to the rock. Male visitors could once climb it, but since 2012, for safety reasons, visitors have not been allowed. The top is generally closed to the public out of respect for the monks.

What to see

• The pillar: a 40-metre rock tower. Look for the ladder and the small buildings on top.
• The church at the base: the Church of Simeon Stylites, newly built, serves locals and pilgrims. You can walk right up to the foot of the pillar.
• The stone path: a stone path leads from the main road to the base. It takes about 15 minutes on foot.
• Chiatura cable cars: Chiatura is a mining town known for its Soviet-era cable cars, which locals still use. Newer cars run alongside the old ones.
• Mghvimevi Monastery: a cave monastery near Chiatura, often added to day trips from Kutaisi.

It is an active religious site, so dress respectfully. Guides say women should cover their heads, shoulders and knees, and men should avoid shorts. Photography is generally allowed from the base. Bring a zoom lens, because the top is far above you.

A half-day from Kutaisi

The pillar is a short stop, so pair it with Chiatura. A full day trip from Kutaisi, with the cable cars and the pillar, takes about six hours.

1. MorningLeave Kutaisi early. The drive to Chiatura takes about 1.5 hours.
2. Late morningStop at the pillar and walk the stone path to the base. Budget 30 to 40 minutes.
3. MiddayRide the cable cars in Chiatura and have lunch in town.
4. AfternoonAdd the Mghvimevi cave monastery if you have time.
5. EveningBack in Kutaisi for Gelati Monastery, Bagrati Cathedral or a walk through the old centre.

Where it is and how to get there

Katskhi is in western Georgia, in the Imereti region, about 5 km from the town of Chiatura.

• By car The easiest way. Kutaisi is about 50 km away, a drive of 1 to 1.5 hours. From Tbilisi (about 200 km) it takes 3 to 4 hours.
• By minibus Minibuses (marshrutkas) run from Kutaisi to Chiatura in 1 to 1.5 hours, for a few lari. From Chiatura, a taxi to the pillar takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Check the times locally.
• On a day tour Guided day trips from Kutaisi often combine the pillar, the Chiatura cable cars and Mghvimevi Monastery. The listings we saw were roughly $19 to $30 a person, often without lunch or the cable car fare.
• Cost We found no entrance fee for the base and the stone path. One guide reports the monastery grounds are open daily from about 9:00 to 20:00.

Good to know: the top of the pillar is closed to visitors. You can only see the church from below, and the walk from the road to the base takes about 15 minutes. Do not plan a whole day around it.

Where to stay: Kutaisi or Tbilisi?

When to go

• Spring April to May. Green, fresh and mild. One of the best times to visit.
• Summer June to August. Warm and green, but hot in the middle of the day.
• Autumn September to October. Clear days and good colours. The other best time.
• Winter Cold and quiet. Expect mist and rain, and check road conditions.

Our tips for Katskhi Pillar

• Bring a zoom lens. The church is 40 metres up, so photos from the base need reach.
• Dress modestly. It is an active religious site. Women should cover heads, shoulders and knees, and men should avoid shorts.
• Pair it with Chiatura. The cable cars are the other reason to come.
• Check times locally. Minibus times and fares change.
• Respect the monks. Please do not try to climb the ladder.

Don't make these mistakes

• Expecting to climb it. Visitors have not been allowed up since 2012.
• Planning a full day here. The pillar itself takes 30 to 40 minutes.
• Turning up in shorts. It is an active religious site.
• Relying on one minibus time. Check the return time before you go.
• Skipping Chiatura. The Soviet-era cable cars are a highlight.

Quick answers

A note on prices: fees, opening hours and timetables change, and we update them every year. The details in this guide were checked in autumn 2026 and may be different by the time you travel, so please confirm them on the official website before you book.