#katskhi pillar

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

Medieval Hermitage atop Katskhi Pillar, in Georgia (South Caucasus), c. 800-900 CE: this church was built during the Middle Ages, and it sits atop an enormous limestone column that has been venerated as a "Pillar of Life" for thousands of years

Known as Katskhi Pillar (or Katskhis Sveti), this giant block of limestone is located in western Georgia (the country, not the state), about 10km from the town of Chiatura.

The church that stands atop Katskhi Pillar was originally constructed during the 9th-10th centuries CE. It was long used as a hermitage for Stylites, who are sometimes referred to as "Pillar Saints" -- Christian ascetics who lived, prayed, and fasted atop pillars, often in total isolation, in an effort to bring themselves closer to God. The Stylite tradition originated in Syria during the 5th century CE, when a hermit known as Simeon the Elder purportedly climbed up onto a pillar and then stayed there for nearly 40 years, giving rise (no pun intended) to Christian Stylitism.

Stylitism managed to survive for about 1,000 years after its inception, but it began to die out during the late Middle Ages, and by the end of the 16th century, it had essentially gone extinct.

Researchers don't really know how the monks who built this Medieval church originally gained access to the top of Katskhi Pillar, or how they were able to transport their building materials up to the top of the column. Evidence suggests that there were still monks/Stylites living atop Katskhi Pillar up until the 1400s, but the site was abandoned shortly thereafter. Georgia fell under Ottoman rule during the same period, but it's unclear whether or not that may have played a role in the abandonment of the site.

The hermitage at the top of Katskhi Pillar lay abandoned for nearly 500 years after that; no one was able to reach the top of the pillar, and very little was known about the ruins that lay scattered at the top, as knowledge of the site's origin/history was gradually lost over time. There are many local legends that ultimately arose in order to fill in those blanks.

The abandoned hermitage was not visited again until July 29th, 1944, when a mountaineer finally ascended to the top of the column with a small team of researchers, and the group was able to perform the first archaeological survey of the ruins. They found that the structure included three hermit cells, a chapel, a wine cellar, and a small crypt; within the crypt lay a single set of human remains, likely belonging to one of the monks who had inhabited the site during the Middle Ages.

A metal ladder (the "stairway to Heaven") was ultimately installed into the side of the pillar in order to make it easier for both researchers and tourists to gain access to the ruins.

The hermitage at the top of Katskhi Pillar actually became active again in the early 1990's, when a small group of monks attempted to revive the Stylite tradition. A Georgian Orthodox monk named Maxime Qavtaradze then lived alone at the top of Katskhi Pillar for almost 20 years, beginning in 1995 and ending with his death in 2014. He is now buried at the base of the pillar.

The hermitage is no longer accessible to the public, and it's currently uninhabited, but it is still visited by local monks, who regularly climb up to the church at the top of the pillar in order to pray. There is also an active monastery complex at the base of the pillar, where a temple known as the Church of the Simeon Stylites is located.

The Church of the Simeon Stylites: this church is located within an active monastery complex that has been built at the base of the pillar; several frescoes and religious icons decorate the walls of the church, and a small shrine containing a 6th century cross is located in the center

There are many lingering questions about the history of Katskhi Pillar, particularly during the pre-Christian era. There is at least some evidence suggesting that it was once the site of votive offerings to pagan deities, as a series of pre-Christian idols have been found buried in the areas that surround the pillar. According to local tradition, the pillar itself was once venerated by the pagan societies that inhabited the area, but it's difficult to determine whether or not those claims may simply be part of the mythos that surrounds Katskhi Pillar, particularly given its mysterious reputation.

Sources & More Info:

BBC: Georgia's Daring, Death-Defying Pilgrimage

CNN: Katskhi Pillar, the Extraordinary Church where Daring Monks Climb Closer to God

Radio Free Europe: Georgian Monk Renews Tradition, Lives Atop Pillar

Architecture and Asceticism (Ch. 4): Stylitism as a Cultural Trend Between Syria and Georgia

Research Publication from the Georgian National Museum: Katskhi Pillar

Journal of Nomads: Katskhi Pillar, the Most Incredible Cliff Church in the World

Georgian Journal: Georgia's Katskhi Pillar Among World's 20 Wonderfully Serene and Secluded Places

[asphinxofblackquartz]

The Katskhi Pillar ~ Kuriositas

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“Climbing the ladder to Katskhi Pillar Monastery / Georgia .”

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Katskhi Pillar, Georgia

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Katskhi Pillar, Georgia

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Katskhi Pillar, Georgia

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Katskhi Pillar, Georgia

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Katskhi Pillar, Georgia

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“Climbing the ladder to Katskhi Pillar Monastery / Georgia .”

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Katskhi Pillar, Georgia

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Katskhi Pillar, Georgia

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“Climbing the ladder to Katskhi Pillar Monastery / Georgia .”

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“Climbing the ladder to Katskhi Pillar Monastery / Georgia .”

[world-traveller]

Complete Guide to Georgia, Europe

distinctive tourist spots that offer a refreshing tourism experience. If you have been seeking a slightly different tourism experience than the conventional one for a long time, Georgia is a must-visit tourism destination for you. If you’ve been to other tourist spots before, you would know how important it is to know the important details about a destination before visiting it. Whether it is your first visit to Georgia or not, you’d want to do the same before visiting the country. Read on to know more about the best time to visit Georgia and other relevant information about the nation.

The Must-Visit Places in Georgia

Each year, Georgia welcomes several tourists to explore its fascinating tourist spots. Though it has a long list of tourist spots from a standpoint of tourism, the prominent ones among them include the ones given below.

1. Tbilisi

Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia, is a place surrounded by mountains and hills. The other thing that makes it special is its location on the banks of the Kura River. In the past, Mtskheta used to be the capital of Georgia. It has a colorful Old Town and other impressive pieces of architecture. Your best bet to explore the capital city of Georgia is to do so on your feet.

2. Mtskheta

Being Georgia’s religious capital, Mtskheta attracts a sizeable number of tourists each year. It has immense significance in the history of Georgia as it used to be its capital city in the past. However, King Gorgosali moved the capital to Tbilisi under his reign.

From a religious viewpoint, the three key spots for tourists are Samtavro Monastery, Jvari Monastery, and Svetitshoveli Cathedral. In addition, you can also visit Old Mtshkheta, Bebristsikhe Fortress, and Shio-Mgvime Monastery. However, you must follow the prescribed rules of attire to be able to get entry to the churches. Wearing hats or shorts is prohibited for men, whereas women are required to use a scarf to cover their hair and should wear a long skirt.

3. Vardzia

Do you remember the popular movie, Lord of the Rings? You can relate the appearance of Vardzia to the sets of this movie. Located in the southern part of Georgia, Vardzia is an underground monastery. It has an interesting history associated with it.

The cave monastery, which looks spectacular to the eye, was built by a king who was a woman. Her name was King Tamar, and she was the first woman to ascend to the throne. As a tourist, you can take a guided tour of this tourist destination.

4. Uplistsikhe

Do you have a liking for visiting ancient sites of historic importance? If yes, you wouldn’t want to miss out on visiting this abandoned rock-hewn town. This 3000-year-old town is in eastern Georgia. When its prominence was at its peak around 1000 BC, it had a sizeable population of about 20000 residents. The cave city has a church at the top. Its other attractions include a prison, an amphitheater, a bakery, and a pharmacy.

5. Katskhi Pillar

If you wish to see a unique place after visiting the mountains and the ground, Katskhi Pillar is a must-visit tourist destination for you. The length of this limestone monolith is 40 meters which makes it one of the high monoliths in Georgia. Tourists also know it by the name of “the Pillar of Life”. But at some time in the 4th century, Katskhi Pillar got a church on it, which enhances its appearance.

Best Time to Visit Georgia

You could visit Georgia at any time of the year to visit the above destinations. However, most tourists come here for a vacation in July and August. If you are fond of hiking or checking out the mountainous landscape, you could visit the mountain areas of the country in these months. The major advantage of visiting Georgia in these summer months is that you can enjoy the best hiking experience without worrying about the snow.

If you are planning to visit the Georgian lowlands, the best time to visit Georgia is from September to early October. The temperature of the lowlands remains pleasant at this time. You could also visit Georgia in the month of June if you plan to visit the country when it is warm.

The low season in Georgia lasts between November and April. May is the month of monsoons, whereas December marks the start of the winter season, which lasts until March.

Conclusion

On considering the long list of tourist spots in Georgia, you will find that it is a tourist spot worth exploring in Georgia. You could make your trip to this amazing place memorable if you plan things well before taking it. Try centering it on the best time to visit Georgia for an invaluable experience.

[unknowntchiatura]

კაცხის სვეტი

Column of Katskhi

ფოტო ©: ლევან ნიორაძე/Levan Nioradze  

[rafalwesolowski]

Katskhi Pillar, Georgia, 2019