History Katskhi pillar

the katskhi pillar in 2009.

in historical records, katskhi pillar first mentioned 18th-century georgian scholar prince vakhushti, reports in geographic description of kingdom of georgia: there rock within ravine standing pillar, considerably high. there small church on top of rock, nobody able ascend it; nor know how that. no other written accounts of monastic life or ascents survive. number of local legends surround pillar. 1 of them has top of rock connected long iron chain dome of katskhi church, located @ distance of around 1.5 km pillar.

in july 1944 group led mountaineer alexander japaridze , writer levan gotua made first documented ascent of katskhi pillar. vakhtang tsintsadze, architecture specialist group, reported in 1946 paper ruins found on top of rock remains of 2 churches, dating 5th , 6th centuries , associated stylite practice, form of christian asceticism. since 1999, katskhi pillar has become subject of more systematic research. based on further studies , archaeological digs conducted in 2006, giorgi gagoshidze, art historian georgian national museum, re-dated structures 9th–10th century. concluded complex composed of monastery church , cells hermits. discovery of remnants of wine cellar undermined idea of extreme ascetism flourishing on pillar. in 2007, small limestone plate asomtavruli georgian inscriptions found, paleographically dated 13th century , revealing name of giorgi , responsible construction of 3 hermit cells. inscription makes mention of pillar of life, echoing popular tradition of veneration of rock symbol of true cross.

religious activity started revive in 1995, arrival of monk maxim qavtaradze, native of chiatura. between 2005 , 2009, monastery building on top of pillar restored support of national agency cultural heritage preservation of georgia. rock once accessible male visitors through iron ladder running base top, has been deemed inaccessible public.