Georgia’s daring, death-defying pilgrimage – BBC Travel

While I was still intrigued to see what was at the top of the pillar, Kellerdashvili, another tourist visiting the pillar, had a different point of view. “I don’t really want to climb to the top. Just looking at it from below is heaven on Earth for me,” she told me, glancing towards the top of the pillar in awe.

Monk Amirani, another monk at the Katskhi monastery, believes that such rules are important to preserve the history and culture of Georgia. “When I climbed to the top of the pillar for the first time in 1992, I realised it is a special place and very important for Christianity,” he said. “It is important that the rules of this pillar are preserved. It is a spot to pray and for troubled men to find peace of mind and solitude.”

But for Father Iliarion, whether or not you can climb to the top, anyone can find inner peace and solace here. “The world has many beautiful places but the main thing about this pillar is the serenity it offers,” he said. “Before the limestone pillar existed, this entire region was the sea. Somehow, I can still feel the calming presence of the sea in this place today, though it is miles away, making it the perfect spot to get closer to God.”

—

Join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us on Facebookor follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter called “The Essential List”. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Culture, Worklife and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday.