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Private Full-Day Tour: Explore Katskhi Pillar and Chiatura from Tbilisi
5.0
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Chiatura
Embark on a private full-day tour from Tbilisi to explore the fascinating Katskhi Pillar and Chiatura. Discover ancient churches, Soviet cable cars, unique monasteries, and indulge in delicious Georgian cuisine and wine. Don't miss the breathtaking landscapes along the way!
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Monastery Mgvimevi - Mghvimevi (cave) Mothers’ Monastery is a 13th century two-nave basilica, dedicated to the Nativity of the Mother of God partly carved into rock. The complex includes a small hall church, bell-tower, and a circuit wall. Small caves around the monastery served as refuges during wartime. The facade has carvings around the window, monumental crosses, interlocking rhombuses, cornice carvings, etc. Wooden iconostasis depicts the Savior and Twelve Apostles and various scenes from the life of Jesus made in the 18th century.
- Chiatura - Chiatura is a mining town in a mountain valley of the Qvirila River. In 1879 the Georgian poet Akaki Tsereteli discovered the manganese and as a mining colony, Chiatura quickly became a source for manganese and iron and was declared a city in 1921. Due to the steep sided river valley, workers spent a large amount of time walking up from the town to the mines, thereby reducing productivity. In 1954 cable car system was installed to transport workers. Still utilizing the original infrastructure of the 1950s, today 17 cable car systems still exist. The central hub with 4 lines is being rebuilt with modern cable car technology.
- Didi Katskhi - Katskhi Monastery of Nativity of the Savior is a medieval monastery built by the Baguashi family in the period of 988–1014. The church building is noted for a hexagonal design and rich ornamentation. The exterior of the church features three gradually narrowing cylindrical levels. The building was richly ornate, but the decoration of two upper tiers was lost in the process of the 1854 restoration. The relief at the southern vestibule is the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, featuring a cross supported by four angels. The church is surrounded by a pentagonal wall with a free-standing bell tower added in the 17th or 18th centuries.
- Katskhi Pillar - The Katskhi pillar is 40 meters high natural limestone monolith that overlooks the small river valley of Katskhura dating from the 9th-10th century. The Katskhi pillar complex consists of a church of Maximus the Confessor, a burial vault, three hermit cells, a wine cellar, and a curtain wall on the top of the column. At the base of the pillar are the newly built church of Simeon Stylites, ruins of an old wall and belfry and a Bolnisi cross relief. A number of local legends surround the pillar. One of the legend is that the top of the rock was connected by a long iron chain to the dome of the Katskhi church, located 1.5 km away.
- Ubisa Monastery - Ubisa is a medieval monastic complex founded by Grigol Khandzteli in the 9th century. It was later renewed by Simon Chkondideli in 1141. In the 14th century, during the reign of George the Magnificent, the main temple of the monastery was decorated with unique frescoes. The “Last Supper” of Ubisa Monastery is a new style of the 14th century Georgian artist Damian and his student Gerasim. This fresco proves that Georgia had its courage towards the Renaissance earlier in the Middle Ages. Before the great Italian Leonardo da Vinca (painted in 1495 to 1498), a fish appears on the table of Ubisa’s “Last Supper” and human gestures and facial expressions in the faces of saints.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- On-board WiFi
- Tasting Khachapuri (Cheese Bread)
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Lunch
Additional Information
Embark on a private, all-day journey to explore Katskhi Pillar and Chiatura that takes you through attractions such as the dual-hall Mgvimevi church, constructed within a natural cavern during the 13th century, and the mining hub of Chiatura that is home to the oldest Soviet cable cars. The tour also showcases the Katskhi Monastery, lauded for its unique six-sided design and detailed embellishments, and the awe-inspiring Katskhi Pillar – a limestone monolith crowned with some of the most revered churches. Additionally, you’ll get to explore the Ubisa monastic complex from the medieval era, adorned with some of Georgia’s finest frescoes. Your private tour features a tasting of Khachapuri (traditional Georgian Cheese Bread) in a highland village and sampling of Tsitska wine, which belongs to the native Georgian vine family of Imereti. The drive offers panoramic views of the Jvari Pass and Rikoti Pass, covering a total distance of 435 km (265 miles).
- Ladies need to wear head scarves and dresses in Georgian orthodox churches. Short trousers for men are also forbidden. Scarves and dresses can also be found near church entrances for men and women to enter churches.
Location
Monastery Mgvimevi
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
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(1 Rating)
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Carol_t
Aug 16, 2020
Terrific experience in Georgia!! - This was a great trip! I got lots of terrific pictures. Giorgi was knowledgeable and helpful. Everything was perfect. Very glad that I got a chance to see Katshkhi was really breathtaking. Would definitely book again!!
Review provided by Viator
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