How the Georgian monk lives on a cliff where he spent 26 years

In Georgia, in a valley not far from the Katskkhura River, a narrow limestone monolith rises 40 meters. Its name is the pillar of Katshi. Dizzying views open from the top, and only forests and mountains are visible for several kilometers around. After a group of climbers climbed a rock in the middle of the 20th century and discovered the remains of a temple of 6-8 centuries and the remains of a monk who died here several centuries ago, pilgrimages began to be organized at the foot of the sacred site.

Since then, the temple has become a home for the monk. Twice a week he goes down to the foot of the pillar to pray with people and pick up food. He has to climb the same staircase that was built back in 1944. This, of course, will not be possible for people with fear of heights, because climbing a shaky metal structure will take about 20 minutes. Access to the top of Katskhi is closed to ordinary people, but photographer Amos Chapple managed to get permission. Thanks to his photographs, we can now see how the life of a hermit goes at a height of 40 meters.

During the 26 years that Maxim lived here, there have been many changes. Not only the temple itself appeared, but also a whole settlement at the foot of the sacred rock. Followers of the monk began to build houses here, men began to come here, in whom serious difficulties began to arise in life.