From the forested Imereti region of Georgia protrudes an immense limestone monolith of deeply mysterious origins known as the Katskhi Pillar. Considered a symbol of the True Cross, the location is officially a Georgian Orthodox Church.

Although mentioned in 18th Century Georgian literature, the Pillar was not studied by Westerners until the 1940s, when mountaineer Alexander Japaridze and writer Levan Gotua made the first documented ascent.

Before reaching even the foot of the pillar, a substantial hike must be made, and, in its early years, only the bravest monks could climb the sheer face to the structure atop, enabling them to be closer to God.

The pillar, which is around 131 feet high and offers astounding perspectives over the surrounding landscapes, is home to a ruined church with an area of approximately 500 square feet.

Modern studies of these remains determined them to be of 9th or 10th Century origin and contain inscriptions from the 13th Century.

The church complex consists of a series of rooms. In addition to the church itself is a crypt, three cells for accommodation, and a wine cellar. Archaeological digs at the latter have produced several large drink vessels known as k’vevri.

Early mentions of the Pillar and the church state that, quote, “There is a rock within the ravine standing like a pillar, considerably high. There is a small church on the top of the rock, but nobody is able to ascend it; nor know they how to do that."

Although it sat abandoned for centuries, religious activity at the Katskhi Pillar was revived in the 1990s, and a state-funded restoration project has since made the structure safe and accessible.

A monk of the Georgian Orthodox Church named Maxime Qavtaradze lived on top of the pillar for more than 20 years, coming down just twice a week, and made substantial contributions to the restorations.

However, while male visitors were once welcomed and could access the structure via an iron ladder, it has since been closed to the public. It is now scaled only by monks who live in the monastery at the foot of the pillar and climb the rock to pray.

To this day, virtually nothing is known about the original builders of the church atop the Katskhi Pillar or how this incredible feat of construction was ever accomplished.