A stone pillar rises above the village of Katskhi (Chiatura region, Georgia), the top of which is crowned by the church of the Katskhi Spaso-Ascension Monastery.
This ancient stronghold of faith and tranquility is located 10 kilometers from the small industrial town of Chiatura.
The church is interesting not only for its location, but also for its architecture.
The Katskh Church is located at the very top of the mountain pillar, the height of which is 39.624 m.
I do not know if this is true or not, but the inhabitants of the village of Katskhi claim that only one monk lives in the church, who leads a hermit life and has not left the walls of his monastery for more than 20 years.
You can get to the church only by a rusty staircase driven into the rock, called the stairway to heaven, which does not inspire much confidence even among the most careless optimists.
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According to historians, this church has pagan roots and was built in honor of the long-forgotten gods, who bestow fertility on nearby lands, in the period from the sixth to the eighth century.
Not so long ago, the church was rebuilt after the collapse of one of the walls and the roof, but it still retains a part of the decorative architecture, giving this monumental structure a layer of charm and mystery covered with a thick layer of time.
The main historical relic of the Katskhi Church is the surviving altar cross of the 12th century.
Recently, this bastion of peace and tranquility has turned into a rather lively commercial enterprise, which any self-respecting Orthodox Christian seeks to visit.
The Katskhi Spaso-Ascension Monastery, in the village of Katskhi, in the Sharopan district, 50 miles from the city of Kutaisi. Founded in 1027 - 1073.
Near Chiatura in the village. Katskhi, the domed temple of Matskhovari (10th - 11th centuries) with the remains of painting has been preserved.
In the XI century, decorative arcature is already considered a necessary technique for decorating the facade, which can be observed in Khtsisi, Bagrat temple in Kutaisi, Katskhi, Nikortsminda, Ikvi, Alaverdi, Samtavisi.
The Katskhinsky pillar, will raise the stairs behind it and move away from the vain world, once and for all.
This is an ancient chapel in the Imereti region of Georgia. The original structure was built in 1200 on top of a 70-meter stone pillar to defend against attacks from the Ottoman Empire. The chapel is currently being restored by the local priest, Father Maxim, with the help of the villagers.
Any journey depends on where and where you start it. But no matter how you plan it, be sure to add there a visit to Georgia (not Georgia, the American state, but Georgia, which is located on the border of Europe and Asia.)
The reputation of this country was badly damaged by long, unresolved political conflicts between the current government and the population. People faced political, economic and social problems, and conveyed their opinions to the authorities. Many citizens of Georgia came to the church for help, to which this article will be devoted.
Katskhi is less than 10 km (6.3 mi) from a small mining town called Chiatura.
The unique Katskhi Church is located on top of a rock formation - 130 feet high tower. Quite an unusual place for a church. It is not clear why, but the rusty, creaky staircase used to climb into the church is called the staircase to heaven. The extraordinary church was built between the 6th and 8th centuries and has pagan roots and is a symbol of abundance that is rarely mentioned today.
The church today embodies the orthodox side of Christianity. Despite the "age" of the church, destruction or danger of collapse does not threaten it. Getting to this sacred place, a person forgets about his problems, and remains alone with himself and God. Thus, this place is very popular among those who are looking for themselves and need to be united with God. A more appropriate name for this church is "Fortress of Solitude" Do not be afraid to walk the path up the rusty stairs. By defeating your fear at the bottom, you will be rewarded at the top.
The main historical relic of the Katskhi Church is the surviving altar cross of the 12th century.
Recently, this bastion of peace and quiet has turned into a rather lively commercial enterprise, which any self-respecting Orthodox Christian seeks to visit.