Katskhi Pillar and Mgvimevi Monastery

This route introduces the natural, historical and spiritual sights of Imereti. Katskhi Pillar is a unique place in Georgia, a spectacular creation of nature. Famous village Katskhi pillar is a large natural limestone monolith height of 50 m, on top of which are the church and cells of the hermit-father Maxim. At the top of the pillar leads a metal staircase with the alluring name “staircase to the sky”. Unfortunately, to go upstairs is now forbidden, so as not to violate the abode of the hermit.

The appearance of the church on top of the pillar refers to the VI-VIII centuries. The modern church (its restoration began in 2008) was built on the ruins of the first temple. Before the Christianization of Western Georgia, the pillar was revered as a symbol of the fertility god. With the advent of Christianity, this place has not lost its cult significance, retains it today, being revered as the Pillar of Life.

At the foot of the pillar is the territory of the male monastery complex, which immerses in the atmosphere of spiritual harmony and peace. Here you can visit the church, talk with monks, see their life. The spirituality of this amazing place of prayer with powerful energy is inexhaustible, here you forget about pressing problems and remain alone with yourself and God.

After the monastery complex, we will visit the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in Katskhi. The architecture of the cathedral is not typical of Georgia and is a rare type of eight-apse temples. The temple was built at the beginning of the Georgian Golden Age around 988-1014.

From Katskhi we leave in the direction of Chiatura and follow to the little-known in Georgia female cave monastery Mgvimevi. Historical data about this amazing monastery are little preserved. It is known that it was built in the XIII century. in the era of the “Golden Age” of Georgia under Queen Tamar, and at the end of the XIV century. survived the invasion of Tamerlane. The monastery is hidden from the outside world in a large natural cave penetrating into the rock to a depth of 35 m, and consists of several rooms. You can get into the monastery by climbing a long stone staircase, turning into a tunnel with steps leading directly to the cave - a large hall of the Savior's temple. This is the only cave temple in Georgia, it is not carved into the rock, but is located in a formless cave, part of which is occupied by a stalagmite. From the cave you can go to the outer gallery, where a stone temple in the form of a two-nave basilica was built, where exterior carvings with elements of paganism were well preserved. Mgvimevi Monastery is an ideal place to find peace of mind and balance. Immersing yourself in its peace, you will live invaluable moments of unity with yourself, your soul and the Supreme Creator.

The excursion day will end in Chiatura – the city of cable cars, founded in 1921 on the site of a manganese deposit in a picturesque place in the valley of the Kvirila mountain river. The city stretches on both sides of the river on the adjacent rocks, many areas are equipped above the city center more than 100 m, because of this elevation difference, the cable car became the main transport. Today in the city there are 10 lines of passenger cable cars and 2 lines for transportation of manganese. We will make a fascinating climb on the rope, which will bring back memories of a fantastic lethal vehicle from the film by G. Danelia “Kin-Dza-Dza”. From above, there is an impressive view of Chiatura in the man-made union of human engineering and natural beauty.

Cost: $100 for a group of no more than six people.

Start of tour from Kutaisi

The tour price does not include tickets to paid facilities