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Panoramic Viewpoint at Katskhi Pillar

Witness the iconic Katskhi Pillar from a breathtaking vantage point, steeped in history and spiritual significance in rural Georgia.

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The Panoramic Viewpoint offers stunning vistas of the Katskhi Pillar, a natural limestone monolith topped with an ancient church, a symbol of faith and solitude in the Georgian landscape.

A brief summary to Panoramic Viewpoint

  • 76P8+X8X, Katskhi, GE

Local tips

  • Visit during daylight hours for the best visibility and photo opportunities of the Katskhi Pillar.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Katskhi Monastery, located at the base of the pillar.
  • Wear comfortable shoes as the viewpoint may involve a short walk on uneven terrain.
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Getting There

  • Taxi

    From Chiatura, taxis are readily available to take you to the Katskhi Pillar. Negotiate the fare beforehand, with a typical round trip costing around 30 GEL. The journey takes approximately 15-20 minutes, offering scenic views of the surrounding countryside.

  • Public Transport

    To reach Katskhi Pillar using public transport, first take a marshrutka (minibus) from Tbilisi's Didube bus station to Chiatura. These run approximately every hour and cost around 6 GEL. The journey takes about 3 hours. From Chiatura, you can then hire a taxi to the Katskhi Pillar.

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Discover more about Panoramic Viewpoint

The Panoramic Viewpoint provides an unforgettable perspective of the Katskhi Pillar, a towering limestone monolith that rises dramatically from the surrounding landscape near the village of Katskhi. This natural wonder, reaching a height of approximately 40 meters (130 feet), has been a site of religious significance for centuries. Initially, the pillar was likely a place of worship associated with pagan fertility rites. With the arrival of Christianity in the 4th century, it became a place of seclusion for Christian ascetics known as "Stylites," who sought spiritual elevation by living atop pillars. The practice was abandoned during the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, and the pillar remained uninhabited for centuries. In modern times, the Katskhi Pillar has experienced a revival. A monk named Maxime Qavtaradze took up residence in 1993, restoring the ancient hermitage. With the help of local villagers and government funding, a chapel was rebuilt, and a cottage was added in 2005, providing a humble abode for the monk. Although climbing the pillar is not permitted to the general public, the Panoramic Viewpoint offers an excellent vantage point to appreciate this unique and bizarre sight. From here, visitors can admire the pillar's sheer size and the small chapel that crowns its summit, while contemplating its rich history and spiritual significance.

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