Katskhi Monastery, Katskhi, Georgia

The Katskhi Monastery of Nativity of the Savior was built at the behest of the Baguashi family in the period of 988–1014. The church building is noted for a hexagonal design and rich ornamentation. Closed down by the Soviet government in 1924, the monastery was revived in 1990 and is now operated by the Eparchy of Sachkhere and Chiatura of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

The Katskhi monastery is a octagonal building of more complex design than other similar polygonal Georgian monuments. The exterior of the church features three gradually narrowing cylindrical levels formed by the faceted gallery, the main body of the church, and the drum of the dome.

The six apses are inscribed into the outer polyhedron and surrounded by an ambulatory from all sides. A single spacious interior compartment around the subdome bay includes radially oriented semi-circular apses. One of these, the altar apse, projects outward prominently due to its large bema. The drum of the dome is also faceted. Each facet of the main body of the church as well as that of the dome and gallery terminate in a pediment with three lines of polygonal cornices.

The building was richly ornated, but the decoration of two upper tiers was lost in the process of the 1854 restoration. Of note is a large composition in relief at the southern vestibule of the gallery, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, featuring a cross supported by four angels.

The church is surrounded by a pentagonal wall, which contains a free-standing bell tower in its eastern corner. These structures are later additions, probably from the 17th or 18th century.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Gomi-Sachkhere-Chiatura-Zestaponi, Katskhi, Georgia

See all sites in Katskhi

Details

Founded: 988-1014 AD
Category: Religious sites in Georgia

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Katskhi Pillar (2 km)

Gelati Monastery (36,7 km)
Ubisa Monastery (18,9 km)
Surami Castle (40,5 km)
Nikortsminda Cathedral (23,5 km)
Timotesubani Monastery (57 km)

User Reviews

Aurėja Matulionytė (8 months ago)
A beautiful place. There's a lot of parking space nearby. If you dont want to drive uphill, there is plenty of space to park down. Tho you will have to walk uphill, but there are stairs, so it's easy. The garden outside is spectacular, plenty of flowers?. There's a small cemetery nearby

oneofthebhoys (10 months ago)
Quite an amazing place in a picturesque setting. It is now easily accessible by a well maintained road, which was not the case a few years ago.

Tracy Tindle (10 months ago)
This is a great place to have a quick excursion off the highway. Note: you can park up close to the column if it's not crowded. But if you like small hikes and want the grandest view of the column, I recommend parking in a specific lot on the road to the column. This lot has a rock paved trail to the column. It is scenic and has a spectacular view on the way up to the column. I added pictures of the lot and it's surroundings at the end of my photos if you think that's the way for you.

Neil Locker (2 years ago)
This is worth visiting and it’s only 20 minutes drive from Chiatura. The chapel has a couple of nice paintings inside. Try to avoid staying at Chiatura. It’s a mining town on the wain with a poor vibe to it.

Kwang Nam Kim (2 years ago)
This area is mountainous area and can reach there only taxi or rent cars from the small town of Chiatura. From the parking just 5 minutes uphills steps. Looks like Meteora monastery and height is around 40m. Worth to visit but transportation is little bit inconvenient. Call Katskhi pillar or column. Feee admission. Open 9 am to 8 pm

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Following Hadrian

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.

Katskhi Monastery