Kutaisi

In the seventh century, monks built a monastery on top of a natural stone pillar outside of Chiatura. It was used by Christian ascetics who lived at the top of the pillar to express their devotion. This cult has now disappeared, but the monastery still exists. Visitors can reach the summit by climbing a 130-foot staircase. The Georgian monk has been living on the summit for almost 20 years. A staircase rising upward is called a ladder to the sky. Only men can climb the pole, and then in special cases.