Katskhi Pillar, Chiatura & Mghvimevi Monastery Day Trip

On this day trip to Katskhi Pillar, Chiatura, and Mghvimevi monastery, we'll explore the culture of this country and learn about Georgia's Soviet past.

Description

At the indicated time, we'll meet at the Traveler’s Meeting Point in Tbilisi to begin our tour through the best examples of Soviet architecture in Georgia, including Katskhi Pillar, Chiatura, and Mghvimevi monastery.

Our first stop will be in Chiatura, known for its extensive Soviet-era cable car network, a popular location for artists and photographers. This town was once one of the largest manganese production centres in the Caucasus.

We will then proceed to Mghvimevi monastery, constructed into the side of a cliff. We will climb the stairs to the entrance and view the stone carvings and relics inside, along with a fantastic view of Chiatura.

After visiting Mgvimevi, you'll have 1 hour of free time for lunch at a restaurant in Chiatura. We will then head to the Katskhi Pillar, which features an elevated church to which monks climb. We will provide details about this limestone monolith and the Orthodox monastery that has stood atop it since its construction between the 6th and 8th centuries.

We will also ride one of Chiatura's famous cable cars to the Pioneers Palace for incredible views. Finally, we will return to Tbilisi to conclude the activity after 12 hours of travel.