Georgian sky-high church among world’s best cliff-top buildings

A Georgian church made of natural limestone and rock that perches precariously on top of a cliff has been ranked second on the list of Most Incredible Cliff Buildings in the world by international website www.theworldgeography.com.

The church of Katskhi Pillar, built in the 5th century in western Georgia's Imereti region, abruptly rises 40 metres (130 ft) above the hills of Central Georgia.

The website claimed the historical site looked similar to a giant’s club.

Photo by Levan Nioradze

The Katskhi Pillar is a natural limestone monolith with a small church visible on top. Inside the church complex is a crypt, three hermit cells, a wine cellar and a curtain wall on the uneven top surface of the column. At the base of the pillar is a newly-built church and ruins of an old wall and belfry. The top surface measures around 150 m2.

From the top of the pillar, the view is breathtaking and the place is a popular stop four tourists.

The pillar was first mentioned in historical recordings in the 18th century. It remained unclimbed until 1944. Many legends are associated with the site. 

A scholar reported: "There is a rock within the ravine standing like a pillar, considerably high. There is a small church on the top of the rock, but nobody is able to ascend it; nor know how to do that.”

Now, there is an iron ladder to the pillar so visitors can climb it.

Over two years from 2007 to 2008, the site was renovated by the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia.

A 60-year-old Georgian monk, Maxime, has lived alone in the pillar for almost 20 years. Twice a week he leaves the pillar and it takes him about 20 minutes to descend from the top, using the iron ladder. Local followers provide him with food and other essential supplies.