Planning a side trip from Kutaisi and wondering what to do in Chiatura? Looking for up-to-date information on whether the Chiatura cable cars are closed or open? My 2023 guide has everything you need to know – including detailed info about the new cable cars and other exciting things to do in Chiatura.

Known for its extensive network of Soviet-era cable cars, Chiatura is a favourite destination in Georgia for urbexers and photographers. But for the past three years, the Chiatura cable cars have been closed.

Now, ‘Air Venice’ (as one person recently described it to me) finally has her wings back. In September 2021, a brand new set of French-built ropeways opened in Chiatura, replacing some of the old lines.

A modern gondola flies over an old building.
One of the new cable cars in Chiatura.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Chiatura multiple times now: Including once in 2017 when the old cable cars were still running, and again a few weeks after the new cable cars opened. This guide draws on both experiences.

While it’s true that Chiatura will never be exactly the same again, it’s wonderful to see this new infrastructure making life a lot easier (and safer) for the people who rely on the cable cars to get around.

Chiatura still remains one of my favourite side trips from Kutaisi and is absolutely worth including on your Georgia itinerary, especially if you’re interested in Soviet history and architecture.

A gold-coloured cable car exiting a dark station building in Chiatura, Georgia.
Chiatura’s old main cable car line. This photo was taken in 2017.

This Chiatura travel guide is the most comprehensive resource currently available online. It covers the new cable cars, the old ropeways and stations, plus all the best things to do in Chiatura and nearby (including Katskhi Column).

At the end, you’ll find detailed transport instructions for getting to Chiatura from Kutaisi or Tbilisi, food and hotel recommendations, and everything else you need to plan a trip.

2023 update: Are the Chiatura cable cars closed?

After being suspended for several years, in September 2021 the aerial tramways started running again running in Chiatura.

But these are not the old Chiatura cable cars: This is a brand new, modern transportation network with four two-way lines, new gondolas, and new upper and lower station buildings.

Some of the original stations built in the 1950s-70s have been demolished and replaced. Others lie abandoned, and others still are sealed off with barricades and cannot be entered. Majority of the old wagons have now been removed from their lines.

The old cable car network is classed as an endangered heritage site and will eventually be restored – but it’s unclear whether the old wagons will ever return to normal service. If you’re interested, you can read about my experience riding the old cable cars back in 2017 at the end of this guide.


Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.


Looking for a Chiatura day tour or a private transfer?

While it’s possible to get to Chiatura from Kutaisi using public transport, it’s much more convenient to hire a driver for the day. I recommend using GoTrip. Prices start from $50 per car including as many stops along the way as you like. 

Build your own GoTrip itinerary here.

If you’re coming from Tbilisi, I recommend joining a tour for ease and efficiency. Friendly.ge, my preferred day trip provider in Georgia, runs a 10-hour tour that covers all the highlights (including Katskhi Pillar). Guides are friendly and extremely knowledgeable.

Book a day trip to Chiatura with Friendly.ge via Get Your Guide.



About Chiatura

The story of Chiatura starts with manganese, a mineral used to manufacture iron and steel. If not for this mineral, the town wouldn’t exist.

Chiatura was founded when Georgian poet Akaki Tsereteli discovered manganese and iron ore deposits in the area during a 1879 expedition. Heavy investment followed, and by 1905, Chiatura’s mines accounted for 60% of global output.

Some 4,000 workers toiled for up to 18 hours a day in mines set along the sheer cliffs that rise above the city. But it wasn’t enough.

A black and white photograph of workers at a Chiatura Mine.
Chiatura miners in 1925. This photo is displayed at the Regional Museum.

In 1954-56 – apparently according to the wishes of Joseph Stalin, who favoured Chiatura (one of the few Bolshevik strongholds in Georgia) – a kanatnaya doroga (rope road) was launched to shorten the miners’ daily commute, thus boosting productivity.

In its heyday, up to 20 passenger ropeways and two cargo lines totalling more than 6,000 metres in length plied Chiatura’s skyline. This included the first heavy reversible bi-cable cable car in the Soviet Union (with the first simple reversible mono-cable having been built down the road in Zestafoni a decade earlier in 1946).

The network ferried miners and commuters alike up and down the valley, and was vital for connecting the mines with the city centre and Chiatura’s upper neighbourhoods, now dominated by Soviet-style apartment blocks.

A stone mosaic depicting two men's faces, mounted to a lemon-coloured building in Chiatura, Georgia.
Stalin and Lenin in profile above one of the cable car station buildings in Chiatura. This photo was taken in 2017. This station is now closed, but the insignia is still visible.

When the Soviet Union collapsed, most of Chiatura’s mines were decommissioned. Only a couple are still in use today. Many families lost their source of livelihood and moved away as a result.

At the time of our first visit to Chiatura in 2017, only a handful of the precariously strung, rusted cable cars remained operational. There were rumours that all of Chiatura’s ‘iron coffins’ would be retired by the end of the year.

Now that the new lines are running, Chiatura almost feels like a different city. There are lots of construction projects going on, including a new sidewalk along the river, new gardens in front of the museum, and the restoration of some facades in the downtown area.

Now Chiatura even has its own Ferris Wheel, perched high above the city on one of the many hills.


15 things to do in Chiatura: Old rope roads, the new cable cars & more

Aside from the famous ropeways, Chiatura is a cornucopia of Soviet throwbacks, stunning architecture, mosaics, and abandoned buildings. There are several notable monasteries and churches in the vicinity, too.

Here are my recommendations for what to do in Chiatura.

1. Ride the new Chiatura cable cars

Chiatura Central Cable Car Station, a modern building with orange details.
The new Central Cable Car Station in Chiatura.

There are four new cableways in Chiatura with a total length of almost 3,500 metres. All of them depart from a new, modern lower station building called Central Cable Car Station. It’s located in the centre of town, near the museum.

A small exhibition about the Chiatura cable cars in front of the new station building.
A small exhibition about the Chiatura cable cars in front of the new station building.

Built by French company Poma, these are reversible cable cars with new twin gondolas that seat 8-10 people comfortably. One of the biggest contrasts to the old cable cars (apart from the obvious) is the addition of supporting poles: Each line has 2-4. Having recently ridden the Khulo-Tago cable car, one of the longest single-line cable cars in Europe, these new ones are much smoother and feel a lot safer.

While the old cable cars were free to ride, the new ones are ticketed. The cost is 50 tetri per person one-way. Paper tickets can be purchased from the cashier booth underneath Central Station.

Tip: Although there are cash desks at the upper stations, at the time of our visit you couldn’t buy a ticket at the top. I recommend buying as many tickets as you need at the bottom (at least two if you’re going up and back). Locals seemed to be buying tickets in bulk.

The cable cars run everyday between 8am-10pm. The times are written in erasable marker, so I assume they will change with the seasons.

Tickets to ride the Chiatura cable cars.
Tickets cost 50 tetri (around 15 cents) one-way.

Visiting Chiatura a few weeks after the new lines had opened, it was busy with daily commuters and joyriders alike. We decided to ride all four to compare.

Here’s a quick run-down of the different lines: Sanatorium, Mukhadze, Lezhubani and Naguti. Some of the upper stations are not on Google Maps yet – you can see the locations on my Chiatura Map.

Sanatorium Cable Car

The Sanatorium line also runs south-east and replaces the old line of the same name. It now departs from the top floor of the Central Station building.

This line is 862 metres and terminates at an upper station adjacent to the Former Pioneer Palace.

The new Sanatorium cable car station in Chiatura.
Sanatorium Line upper station.

Mukhadze Cable Car

At 640 metres, this is the shortest of the new lines.

Departing Central Station in a south-easterly direction, the gondola sails directly over the train station, giving you a great view of the railway tracks.

After a few short minutes you reach the upper station, located in a residential area close to Central Hospital and in the shadow of some impressive apartment blocks. Off to the east you can see the Sanatorium line upper station on a nearby hill.

The new Mukhadze cable car station in Chiatura.
Interesting architecture inside the Mukhadze upper station.

Lezhubani Cable Car

Spanning 845 metres, the line is roughly the same duration as Sanatorium but runs in a north-westerly direction to the opposite side of the river valley.

The highlight is passing over the top of one of the old cable car stations near the market. You can see the cantilevered arms and the green sprigs emerging from cracks in the concrete roof.

View of an old concrete building from above.
View of an old cable car station. The windows make photography a bit tricky!

Lezhubani upper station, a royal blue metal structure, is the most striking of the smaller station buildings.

The new Lezhubani cable car station in Chiatura.
Lezhubani upper station.

Naguti Cable Car

Finally, this line runs almost directly west into upper Chiatura’s Naguti residential district. At 1,081 metres, it’s the longest of the four. It also replaces an old line of the same name.

Gondolas depart from a small annex station that’s accessible by pedestrian bridge from the main Central Station building. The upper station is close to the highway that brings you into Chiatura. 

Nearby, you’ll find the Church of the Annunciation in Naguti and the Chiatura Memorial.

The new Naguti cable car station in Chiatura.
Naguti upper station.

If you only have time to ride one of the cable cars, I recommend either Sanatorium or Naguti. Sanatorium is the highest station with nice views on the way up and the Former Pioneer’s Palace at the top (see more details below).

Naguti is also fun because it’s the longest. The memorial is very much worth visiting too (see more details below).


2. Photograph the old Chiatura cable car stations

A concrete cable car station in Chiatura, Georgia.
An old cable car station near Chiatura Market. This was abandoned back in 2017 as well.

Even though the new cable cars now reign supreme, you can still see and photograph some of Chiatura’s now abandoned Soviet-era infrastructure.

Having visited in 2017 when the old lines were still operating, I can tell you it’s not quite the same with no passengers about and none of the wagons running. But the pros of having new tramways far outweigh the cons – so make the most of it.

At least one station building has been demolished – the old three-way cable car station (designed by Otar Turkia in 1973) that used to sit where Central Station is now located. Other abandoned stations are in various states of disrepair.

As I mentioned, these are classed as heritage monuments and will eventually be restored. Work has already started on the lemon-coloured station building (it’s undergoing a colour change to purple-grey). The Stalin-Lenin insignia on the outside is still visible from the footpath between the scaffolding, but the entry is barricaded so you can’t get inside to see the Dr. Love mural.

Sadly the gold-coloured carriages that used to run over the river are no longer on their lines. (They were dismantled a few weeks after my visit.) The adjacent line’s twin blue wagons are suspended at either end but are difficult to spot.

A de-comissioned cable car carriage hangs above a river valley.
One of the old cable cars suspended over the river valley. It has since been dismantled. You can see a photo of this wagon running back in 2017 later in the post.

The other lower stations in town are similarly abandoned but still have their de-commissioned wagons floating mid-air. The operator booths have been emptied out, but there are no barricades or signs, so you can still scale the stairs. The exact locations for these are plotted on my map.

There are dozens of upper stations scattered in the forest around Chiatura. If you have a car, you can try scouting more of them out.


3. Go inside a preserved station building

Abandoned cable car station in Chiatura, Georgia.
Inside the best-preserved cable car control room in Chiatura.

Of all the abandoned cable car station buildings in Chiatura, this one is probably the best-preserved. It looks like whoever operated this particular line just stood up and walked out one day, leaving their books and pillows strewn around.

The tiny calendar fixed to the wall with a safety pin is for 2019/2020 – a reminder that these ropeways were somehow still in service until very recently.

The control desk used to work the cable cars is completely in tact, and there is a rather charming (Chinese manufactured, apparently) landline telephone on the wall.

Standing out on the platforms at this station, you can see a few carriages hanging limply on their rusty ropes in the far distance. This station is double-sided, with lines running up the hills in both directions.

An abandoned cable car station in Chiatura, Georgia.
Abandoned cable cars in Chiatura.

Labelled ‘Telesférico histórico de Chiatura’ on Google Maps (thanks to the Portuguese traveller who apparently pinned it!), the station is located on the main road just past Mgvimevi Convent. You can walk from the centre of town – just watch out for cars.

A stone bas-relief on the front of the building has been covered over with orange paint.


4. Chiatura Regional Museum

A Soviet-style painting inside the Chiatura Regional Museum.
Incredible artwork inside the Chiatura Museum.

Established in 1962, Chiatura’s local museum is located in a stately collonaded building on the main road, next door to the new Central Cable Car Station.

Work is currently underway on the building and the gardens. The front door was ajar when we arrived, and a security guard kindly led us upstairs to the museum entrance where a staff member met us and after turning the lights on, showed us through the small, single-room exhibit.

The first part is pretty standard: Archaeological items displayed in glass cases, costumes, musical instruments, clay Qvevri and artworks by local painters. There are two impressive paintings in the stairwell outside, so don’t forget to look up as you’re walking in.

An oil painting depicts miners walking through the streets of Chiatura.
This oil painting hangs in the museum stairwell.

The most interesting displays are at the front of the museum: Archival photographs from the 1920s that show Chiatura’s miners at work, original oil lanterns and equipment, and an old-school map showing the extent of Chiatura’s manganese exports around Europe and Asia.

An archival photograph of a miner wheeling a barrow full of dirt.
Miners in Chiatura. There is also a wooden wheelbarrow similar to this on display.
Vintage mining tools.
Old mining equipment.
An old map inside the local museum in Chiatura.
Map of Chiatura’s mineral exports.

After a very detailed narration (in Georgian, mind you – I only understood about 10% of what was being said), I felt bad lingering on the one part of the museum that wasn’t included in the tour: The two massive murals at either end of the hall.

Created by artist Koko Ignatov, they are spectacular and very Soviet-style. At first I thought they were mosaics, but they appear to be painted onto a thick canvas-like material.

There are signs saying no photography inside, but after asking permission our guide was happy for me to take photos.

The museum is officially open from Tuesday to Saturday (closed Sundays and Mondays) between 10am and 6pm. When we left, the security guard had to unlock the door for us, and when we returned later it was still shut – so I’m not sure if the museum is technically open at the moment or if it was just closed that day and we got lucky.

The ticket price noted on the door was 1.5 GEL per person, but it’s more of a donation that you place inside a wooden box. We left a bit extra as a thanks to our guide and signed the guest book on the way out.


5. Temur Maghradze Stadium & swimming pool mosaic

This is a semi-abandoned sports stadium on the south-western side of town. I say semi-abandoned because the grandstands are well past their prime and missing most of their wooden benches, but the playing field and the adjacent gymnasium are still very much in use.

This the homeground of FC Chiatura, 1975 Georgian Soviet Champions and Liga finalists in 2020. As I later read, the club used to be known as Magaroeli (‘miner’), a tribute to the town’s main industry.

The main gates were open when we arrived so we strolled in, following a group of kids through the arched passageway underneath the southern stands. The bleachers once held 11,650 spectators. You can still see the concrete VIP boxes.

Old concrete bleachers at the semi abandoned stadium in Chiatura.
Old grandstands.

To get onto the nicely clipped playing field, you need to go through the adjacent building. As we walked through we heard the sound of people running and jumping in the gymnasium above. The outlines of what I assume were a clock and a scoreboard can be seen on the front part of the building facing the field. I noticed sunflower seeds scattered around some of the stands, but I’m not sure if these were left by spectators or people just hanging out.

The next building in the complex houses an indoor pool. Having seen photos online, I was very eager to pop in for a peek. We sheepishly walked into the front room where four women were sitting behind desks signing kids in for their swimming lessons and uttered the magic word, ‘Mosaika?’ Without a second thought, one of the women led us through to the back room, smiling and laughing. 

There are Soviet-style mosaics at both ends of the indoor pool: The eastern end has a simple geometric design with a red sun, while the shallow end has an extremely detailed wall-to-wall panorama depicting two figures seated in an underwater seascape.

A huge mosaic spans the length of an indoor swimming pool.
Probably the most impressive mosaic I’ve seen in Georgia to date.
Swimming pool mosaic in Chiatura.
Details of the Chiatura swimming pool mosaic.

I can’t find any information about the mosaic online but judging from the 10-oared ship, I’m guessing it’s a reference to Jason and the Argonauts.


6. Soviet-era mosaics in Chiatura

Speaking of mosaics – there are several more in the centre of Chiatura, all walking distance from each other and all in dulcet blue tones.

The first is on the front of the Metallurgy-Mining Institute, on the southern side of the riverside near Liberty Bank. It depicts three students with unfurled plans in hand (above left).

On the opposite side of the river at the next intersection, there is a beautiful Rustaveli mosaic on the front of the First Public School. It shows the poet holding a book (I assume a copy of his epic), with a panther at his feet. The light wasn’t quite right for a photo so it’s not pictured here.

The third mosaic is uphill on the next street. The largest and most impressive of the trio, it decorates the front of a kindergarten (above right). This is still a kindergarten, so be mindful when taking photos. Part of the mosaic is obscured by a tree but you can still get a good look at the central figure and pairs of mothers and their babes.


7. Former Pioneer Palace

2023 update: The Pioneer Palace is now closed off with a new metal fence as the surrounding area has been developed into a park. It might be difficult (or impossible) to enter the palace ruins.

Set very high up on the southern side of Chiatura, the Former Pioneer Palace is an abandoned building that was used as a children’s camp. Purpose-built in the early 1960s, it was designed by Georgian architect Konstantine Chkheidze and mirrors similar structures in Tkibuli (another mining town in Imereti region) and Tkvarcheli (a former industrial town in Abkhazia).

The front facade – a small part of the once monumental structure – features a ring of colonnades and a beautiful staircase.

Former Pioneers Palace in Chiatura, an abandoned summer camp.
The Former Pioneer Palace in Chiatura.

The Pioneers organisation was the Soviet equivalent of the Scouts (but with a political edge). Art classes and various events were held here, and there was also a museum.

Amazingly, it was still in use right up until 2007 when it was abandoned and left to ruin. Plans to demolish the Palace in 2014 were thwarted by local activists, and although there have been various schemes to restore the building, it remains completely abandoned and falling apart at the seams. Murals inside have been stripped but you can just make out part of a brightly coloured illustration that must have wrapped around the entire atrium.

There is a new carousel in the park in front of the palace, and we noticed a group of men working on construction nearby. With the new Sanatorium cable car station just footsteps away, this might be the start of a long-awaited opportunity for the building to receive some TLC.

The Pioneer Palace is a bit tricky to locate if you’re on foot or driving – find the cable car station first, then follow the dirt path immediately to the left. There were plenty of people around when we visited, and there are no barricades or signs to indicate you can’t go inside. Just be careful where you step.


8. Chiatura Memorial

The war memorial in Chiatura depicts two figures cast in dark metal.
Chiatura Memorial.

As you enter Chiatura on the main highway from Zesafoni, there is a brand new ‘Welcome to Tchiatura’ sign and lookout deck being built. We got out of the car for a look and the construction workers greeted us with a handful of lollies – it was very sweet and the perfect introduction to a town where everyone seems to be exceedingly friendly and helpful, even by Georgia standards.

The next structure you encounter, just at the entrance to the town, is the Chiatura Memorial. Officially called the Memorial to the Great Patriotic War, this is a typical Soviet-style WWII memorial like others you see around the country. It shows a solitary soldier in his combat helmet and boots overshadowed by a second figure with its arms raised overhead.

The monument sits on a grassy hill. The backdrop of apartment buildings is very striking and adds to the scene. You can either stop here on the way in or out of Chiatura, or take the cable car to Naguti upper station and walk for 15 minutes.


9. Chiatura abandoned Railway Station

The front of the train station in Chiatura.
Chiatura Railway Station.

In 1895, a narrow-gauge railway was constructed to connect Chiatura and Shorapani, a small town just outside Zestafoni in the lowlands of Imereti. Trains ferried manganese from the mines down to Zestafoni, where a huge plant was built in 1933 to process the raw materials.

At the end of 2022, I was lucky enough to tour the Ferroalloy Plant in Zestafoni and see what becomes of the materials extracted from the earth in Chiatura.

Later, the train line was converted into a standard-gauge and began transporting passenger wagons as well. In 1976, a new railway station was built in the centre of Chiatura to accommodate passengers.

When the Chiatura-Shorapani train ceased, the two-story station building was abandoned. It’s in a terrible state of disrepair, but there are details that hint at its former glory. I especially love the shape of the shelter that runs the length of the platform.

Chiatura's abandoned railway station.
Abandoned platform at Chiatura Railway Station.

We had a quick walk and a look at the old carriages parked on the lines. You can see more photos of the station interior here.

The Kutaisi-Sachkhere train (which just recommenced in summer 2021) is the only service that passes through here now.


10. Chiatura Theatre

The front facade of the Chiatura Drama Theatre.
Chiatura Theatre.

Built in 1949, the Akaki Tsereteli State Drama Theatre of Chiatura is named for the Georgian poet who first discovered mineral deposits in this region. It’s still functioning today.

Located directly opposite the Railway Station, you can’t miss its imposing facade of tall arches and ornate iron detailing. A statue of Tsereteli is perched on the front. If you look up, you’ll see a very Soviet-style stone frieze of Stalin in profile surrounded by seven workers and children.

The inscription reads ‘Didi Stalins Didebi’, meaning ‘Stalin the Glorious’ or something to that effect.


11. Downtown architecture & apartment buildings

A row of shops decorated with modernist facades.
Arcade on the main road.

There are tons of interesting architectural styles in Chiatura, ranging from colourful Soviet-style apartment blocks to Brutalist cable car stations, modernist civic buildings and Empire-style facades.

Chiatura is laid out over different elevations so just walking up the alleyways and pathways can turn up different, interesting vantage points.

Don’t miss the long, curved arcade that runs along the main street or the round kiosk with a pinched roof on the riverside. I also love the set of cafes and shops with curved roofs that line the river, the contemporary concrete City Hall building, and the Empire-style building with a belvedere and clock tower (walk along the arcade and spot the initials marked at the entryway in terrazzo).

Classical architecture in the city of Chiatura.
Downtown Chiatura.

If you stand on the opposite side of the bridge looking at the clock tower, you can see the other Chiatura Clock up on the cliff – a digital clock that displays the time and air temperature in LED lights.


12. Chiatura Jvari

Chiatura Jvari or Chiatura Cross, a lookout point marked by a huge metal cross. It’s high up on the southern bank of the river, close to one of the disused upper stations.

We started making our way up for sunset only to find the last part of the road closed for construction. Workers pointed out an alternative long way round to get to the cross, but it was too late so we turned back.

The views along the road were breathtaking, so I can only imagine what the panorama is like from the top. There is one point where you can see an old cab car suspended between the cliff and a rock formation – picture perfect, even in silhouette.

A cable car suspended on its line in Chiatura.
Chiatura by night.

This road also takes you past a working mine and a second abandoned mine, so you can get a closer look at the mechanics of the operation.


Things to do near Chiatura

13. Katskhi Column & Monastery

Katskhi Column, a monastery perched on top of a stone pillar over a green valley.
Drone photo of Katskhi Column.

Katskhi Column (Katskhi Pillar) is a 45 metre-tall limestone pillar with an Orthodox monastery perched on top. Located just off the highway between Kutaisi and Chiatura, it’s ideally positioned as a place to stop on the way up or down the mountain.

Ascending the pillar is strictly prohibited, but it is possible to walk right up to the base of the column to visit the Church of Simeon Stylites and the old wall and belfry.

To appreciate the scale of the pillar, it’s better to view it from afar. There is a designated viewing point for exactly this purpose, linked to the highway by an unpaved road. You can either walk (~20 minutes) or drive (5 minutes) to the viewpoint. The road to the pillar is newly paved and easy to navigate.

A white sign points the way to Katskhi Pillar in Georgia.
The start of the road to Katskhi Pillar. This sign is visible on the left-hand side of the highway as you approach Chiatura.

The start of the road opens up on the left-hand side of the highway as you are heading towards Chiatura. It finishes at a small car park, where you’ll find an information placard and a view of Katskhi in the near distance.

The path continues off to the right of the car park, presumably to the base of the column. Like the sign says, the cloister is open between 10.30am and 6pm.

The first time we visited Katskhi, it was so foggy we could barely see a thing. We stood at the placard waiting for the clouds to part and managed to get a very quick glimpse – literally only one minute – before the monastery was enveloped in mist once again. Second time around we had perfect weather and decided to send our drone up.

There is a small construction site at the viewpoint location but I’m not sure exactly what works are underway.

Katskhi Monastery is located a little further up the highway towards Chiatura. Commissioned in 1032 by the King of Bagrat, it was used as a burial place and library for precious theological books, all of which were pillaged over the years. The church design is very striking and one-of-a-kind in Georgia.


14. Mgvimevi Convent

Mgvimevi Convent, a church embedded in a cliff in Chiatura.
Mgvimevi Convent.

A 20-minute walk or 2-minute drive from City Hall, Mgvimevi Convent is a working nunnery and church embedded in the side of a rocky cliff. We parked our car at the small petrol station on the opposite side of the road then found the entrance – the staircase starts on the highway next to the small shop (there is a sign with a picture of a church, but it’s easy to miss).

It takes around 15 minutes to scale the stairs. Once you reach the entrance, you’re immediately plunged into a cool, dark cave – absolute reprieve after walking uphill in the sun. Water trickling down the rock walls makes it even cooler.

Much like the churches at Vardzia and David Gareja, Mgvimevi features cloisters hewn from rock, dressed with icons and lit by beeswax candles. There are beautiful stone engravings, a glass box displaying three human skulls and other relics, and a small chapel with beautiful frescoes and a wooden iconoclast. Outside, there is a lookout point that gives you a view of the church hugging the cliff face.

Mgvimevi is open daily from 11am until 4pm. The dress code is strictly enforced by the nuns: Long pants for men and a headscarf plus skirt for women (no pants). There are scarves and wrap-skirts available to borrow at the entrance. Be very careful when exiting, very dark in contrast to the sunlight.


15. Sachkhere

Soviet-style mosaic at the old petrol station in Sachkhere, Georgia.
Soviet-era mosaics at the old petrol station in Sachkhere.

The town of Sachkhere is located further north into the mountains of Upper Imereti, around 20 minutes by road from Chiatura. It’s home to Modinakhe Castle, the Akaki Tsereteli Museum, and several mosaics.

The main reason I wanted to visit Sachkhere was to see the Railway Station, a gorgeous 1904-built stone building. As I discovered, there are lots of other Soviet-era treasures in town, including bas-reliefs and Brutalist architecture.

Find more things to do in Sachkhere, including the wonderful Modinakhe Fortress, here in my Sachkhere Travel Guide.


Where to eat in Chiatura

There are limited food options in Chiatura. We ended up eating at Gazapkhuli 2007, a small restaurant with a strange vibe but delicious food. There’s no English menu but they have all the essentials (Khinkali, Khachapuri, Mtsvadi, Salati, etc.).

Another option is Lunch at Lia, a new restaurant set in a family home near the Lezhubani cable car station. It’s open for lunch and dinner daily, and caters to tour groups from Tbilisi and Kutaisi. Independent travellers are also welcome – if you want to drop in for a home-cooked meal and a glass of Imeretian wine, send the hosts a Whatsapp message a day or two in advance on +995 557 744 765.


Where to stay in Chiatura

We stayed at Hotel Newland on the main road next to City Hall. It’s perfectly located walking distance from everything and features a huge outdoor terrace overlooking the Rustaveli monument and old cable car station.

The owner speaks perfect English and is very kind and helpful. Parking is available right out front. Rooms are clean and comfortable. They also serve breakfast and other meals on request.


Chiatura map

Click here to open my Chiatura map and see the exact locations for the old cable car stations plus the other points of interest covered in this guide.


How to get to Chiatura from Kutaisi

Kutaisi to Chiatura marshrutka

The cheapest way to travel between Kutaisi and Chiatura is by marshrutka. Vans depart from Kutaisi’s Central Bus Station roughly every hour between 9am and 5pm. Tickets cost around 12 GEL per person. The journey takes around 2 hours with a short stop in Zestafoni on the way.

To get to the bus station in Kutaisi, take city bus #1 from the Colchis Fountain. I recommend taking one of the first vans from Kutaisi to make the most of your day. When you get to Chiatura, the driver will let you out on the main street. Double check times locally at the bus station or at Tourism Info.

Stopping off at Katskhi Column

You can easily add a stop at the pillar to your itinerary simply by changing marshrutka on the road. Vans are frequent enough that you shouldn’t get stuck waiting too long.

You’ll be taking two separate vans, so you’ll need two separate tickets. We asked the first driver (departing Kutaisi) to drop us off at Katskhi Pillar (all drivers should know it, but it’s a good idea to have a picture on your phone just in case). The 64km journey from Kutaisi to the Column took us 1.5 hours (including a short rest stop in Zestafoni).

After you’ve seen the column, return to the same road and hail any passing Chiatura-bound marshrutka. The next leg of the journey is much shorter, around 10km or 30 minutes to the centre of Chiatura. At the time of our visit it cost us an additional 5 GEL each.

Tip: It’s best to stop off at the pillar on the way to Chiatura (as opposed to the way back). That way if the van is full, you’re more likely to get a seat for the longer journey down to Kutaisi.

Chiatura to Kutaisi by marshrutka (return trip)

The last marshrutka back to Kutaisi leaves Chiatura at around 5pm – but there may be later vans passing through Kutaisi on their way to Batumi and other destinations on the coast. On our first visit, we ended up catching a Batumi-bound marshrutka back to Kutaisi.

Vans to Kutaisi depart from Chiatura Central Bus Station.

Private transfer to Chiatura with GoTrip

If you want to get an earlier start to maximise your time in Chiatura or you just prefer not to use marshrutka vans, another option is to organise a private transfer from Kutaisi.

I highly recommend using GoTrip.ge to find a driver. You can stop as many times as you like along the way, including at Katskhi, and add Mgvimevi and Sachkhere to your itinerary if you want.

A private transfer from Kutaisi to Chiatura and back costs as little as 130 GEL per car when booked through GoTrip. This is incredibly good value for money considering how much driving is involved. You can spend as long as you want in Chiatura – the only condition is that you must complete the trip within 24 hours.

Check prices and build a custom Kutaisi to Chiatura itinerary using GoTrip.

Hiring a car and driving to Chiatura

We hired a car for our most recent visit to Chiatura. The drive was relatively straightforward and it was great to have more flexibility and be able to stick to our own schedule.

Apart from one small patch of unfinished road (that will, in all likelihood, be done by the time you read this) and the short track to Katshkhi, the road up to Chaitura is completely paved and in good condition. A 4WD is not necessary. We took a Prius.

There is plenty of free parking available in the centre of Chiatura, including along the main road.

I personally use Local Rent to hire cars from a local agent in Kutaisi. Prices are extremely competitive and insurance is typically included. Read up on my driving tips before you go.

Search cars on Local Rent.


How to get to Chiatura from Tbilisi

While it’s possible to do a day trip to Chiatura from Tbilisi using public transport, it does involve a lot of time on the road. You might not have as much time as you want or need to explore when you arrive.

Direct vans to Chiatura depart from Bus Station Nige (include Didube) every hour between 7am and 7pm. Tickets cost around 15 GEL, and the travel time is 2.5-3.5 hours depending on which road the driver takes.

Alternatively, you can take a van to Zestafoni from the same station (hourly from 6am; 15 GEL) then transfer to a Chiatura van. This takes longer, 3 hours to Zestafoni plus 75 minutes to Chiatura.

To save time and energy, I recommend either hiring a car and driver for the day or joining an organised day tour from Tbilisi. When booked through GoTrip , a private car and driver from Tbilisi to Chiatura and back, stopping at Katskhi Pillar on the way, costs as little as 220 GEL per car.

Check prices and build your day trip itinerary using GoTrip.

If you prefer to travel with a guide, I recommend joining this day tour organised by Friendly.ge. It covers as much as you could reasonably expect to see in a day (including Katskhi Pillar) and includes door-to-door transfers. Guides are friendly and extremely knowledgeable.

Book a day trip to Chiatura with Friendly.ge via Get Your Guide.


More tips for visiting Chiatura

  • Given our first experience at Katskhi Column, my first piece of advice is to visit this part of Georgia on a clear day if possible. If the weather is bad, you might not be able to see the pillar or the cable lines in Chiatura. A bit of rain is fine, but avoid going when it’s thick and foggy. See my tips for the best time to visit Georgia here.
  • As I mentioned, there are limited food offerings in Chiatura so it’s a good idea to plan your meal ahead of time and phone ahead if possible.
  • There are plenty of ATMs, banks and grocery shops in Chiatura so don’t worry about accessing cash or any essentials.

Chiatura flashback: My experience riding the old Chiatura cable cars in spring 2017

“But why would you want to go there?” We were standing in the entryway of the Hotel California (the Georgian version, which is actually a guesthouse set on a suburban street in Kutaisi) talking with our hostess, Leila.

Over the past 24 hours, Leila and I had grown particularly close. Whenever we met in the hallway, she would pinch my cheeks, grab my hips and coo at me, calling me ‘a beautiful baby’. She’s a typical Georgian grandma, thickset with curly black hair and a firm grip. Her fondness for me was completely unjustified, but very sweet and amusing. Tonight, however, her disposition was grisly as she handed down her verdict on our plan to take a day trip from Kutaisi to Chiatura the following day.

Chiatura is not exactly a popular tourist spot. I had been infatuated with the town’s history and obsessed with visiting ever since I got a tip off from a friend on social media. Chiatura hadn’t been part of our original Caucasus itinerary , so we adjusted our plans to include one more full day in Kutaisi to squeeze it in.

Earlier that day, the helpful staff at the Kutaisi tourist information office had armed us with a map, a marshrutka schedule scribbled down on one corner. We proudly showed this to Leila, trying to illustrate to her how organised and well thought-out our plan was – but she just couldn’t believe two Australian tourists who had come all the way to Georgia would want to spend a day in Chiatura.

We made grand sweeping gestures with our hands as we told her about the old cable cars we were going to ride on. We told her how fascinating it was that the Stalinist government had ordered the 17 lines to be constructed in 1954, making the rope roads older than our parents.

We excitedly described Katskhi Pillar (or Katskhi Column), a stylite monastery just outside of Chiatura, and how we wanted to catch a glimpse of the famous hermit monk who lived on top of the impossibly high stone pillar.

But we couldn’t win Leila over.

Unperturbed, we woke up early the next morning and boarded a marshrutka bound for Chiatura. The day that unfolded was one of the most rewarding of our first 3-month journey across the Caucasus – and probably one of the coolest travel experiences we’ll ever have in our lives.

On a misty Sunday morning in May, we squeezed into a marshrutka van just as it was pulling out of Kutaisi’s bus station. The fog thickened during the one-and-a-half-hour journey through densely forested Imereti. When we finally pulled into Chiatura, the haze cleared to reveal a colourful little town alive with activity.

Chiatura is a relatively small town with one main street. The bus dropped us off in the heart of the action, close to a small open market. We didn’t really know where to go from here, so we walked west along the street until we found evidence of the cable car lines.

Two colourful apartment blocks in Chiatura, Georgia.
Colourful apartment blocks in Chiatura.
A woman stands in front of the main market building in Chiatura, Georgia.
A florist in Chiatura.
A row of unusual buildings along a riverside in Chiatura, Georgia.
Chiatura.

Along the main road, women sell neatly arranged bundles of herbs and bunches of roses. Bakers scramble to keep up with weekend trade, Ladas cruise up and down the streets, and people come and go from pastel-coloured buildings.

A woman sits under a green wall holding an umbrella over her head.
A flower vendor in Chiatura.

It’s not long before we catch our first glimpse of Chiatura’s cable car infrastructure: a hulking station building, remnants of rusted rope hanging limply from its cantilevered concrete arms.

The smashed windows and boarded-up doors reveal this is one of the lines that has ceased to operate. We search the grey skies for more cable car lines, eventually following a group of women as they make their way inside a lemon-coloured building. Just as we approach the station, a blue car arcs down the hill and docks in its station. A few people disembark and the women take their place.

A gold-coloured cable car sails across a river valley in Chiatura, Georgia.
Chiatura’s cable cars in action.

After observing a few rotations, the station attendant gestures nonchalantly for us to board the next empty car. Without a moment’s hesitation we climb inside.

Another attendant is there waiting. It’s her job to ride with passengers and ensure no one accidentally pops the loosely fitted door.

A bell sounds; the first attendant pulls a lever and we’re off, sailing in our metal cage. This particular line hugs the contour of the hill, so we are never very far off the valley floor. Still, peering through the tiny wire-covered windows is thrilling.

We can’t communicate with words, but the attendant chuckles knowingly as we look to her for reassurance.

The most striking thing about the ride – which only lasts for a minute or so – is how silently and smoothly the carriage moves. Sixty-plus years later and these weather-worn ropes still do their job with efficiency and ease.

The view from the top – a full panorama of Chiatura – is breathtaking.

Blue cable car cabins climb up a green hillside in Chiatura, Georgia.
Chiatura’s cable cars.
The city of Chiatura, Georgia viewed from above.
View of Chiatura from the upper cable car station.
A pink cable car station atop a hill in Chiatura.
The upper cable car station.

Back inside the main station, we admire the plaster work that decorates this once-grand building. A freshly painted mural pays homage to Chiatura’s miners.

Outside, we notice a mosaic cast above the entryway – forever immortalised in river stones, Stalin and Lenin gaze out towards the rope ways.

The cable cars in Chiatura are free to ride. There is no set schedule, they just go when there’s passengers waiting. There are attendants inside all stations (it’s their job to open the door for you and to pull the lever that sends the cars off), and there are also attendants inside the cars themselves. Most lines we saw have only two cars that interchange, bringing passengers up and down.

It goes without saying, but if you want to ride the cable cars, do so at your own risk. The machinery and equipment is ancient and not very well maintained. We made a judgement call and decided to ride up and down once. I don’t regret it at all – it was incredible.

A white sign depicting a cable car in Chiatura, Georgia.
A sign inside the main cable car station in Chiatura.

Even if you don’t ride the cars, it’s worth visiting Chiatura to see the impressive concrete station buildings. The lemon-coloured building that I photographed has beautiful plaster cornices inside – you can just imagine what it would have looked like when it first opened.

The cable cars and concrete station buildings are Chiatura’s main draw card, but it’s worth having a stroll around the town as well.

A modern concrete cable car station building in Chiatura, Georgia.
Old cable car station in Chiatura.

We popped our heads into the big undercover market, which was rather dim and dusty. On the main street there’s a very retro barbershop and as mentioned, a collection of pastel-coloured civic buildings and apartment blocks.

Today, Chiatura is a quiet, peaceful place that only attracts the most intrepid tourists, drawn to visit and ride the cable cars. As with everywhere else in Georgia, we were greeted with nothing but kindness and warmth from the Chiatura locals.

A group of men sit in the back of a green jeep in Chiatura, Georgia.
Playing checkers in Chiatura.
A car glides down a steep street in Chiatura, Georgia.

More Kutaisi tips


Are you planning to travel from Kutaisi to Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar? If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below.


Kutaisi to Chiatura: Save it on Pinterest

34 Comments

  1. Hello! Is there a train from Gori to Chiatura and from Chiatura to Kutaisi? We are going to be there this December.

  2. This photos are very old, the buildings are now in much better condition, new paintwork, fixed many things, it now looks totally different and much better. I can help you update the pictures, I don’t want people to think that it is how Chiatura looks now in 2023

    1. Hi Levan, yes! Work was just starting when I was last there. I will be returning in a couple of weeks and will take some new photos to compliment these ones. Thanks for your comment.

  3. Do you know when the first marshrutka from Chiatura to Kutaisi departs in the morning? I would love to spend a night in this town but need to catch a flight to Mestia (which probably will be canceled but anyway) and need to be at 11AM at the airport. Will this be doable or not?

    1. Hi Sarah – are you travelling in summer? I would think the first van would be around 8am. Then you have to get to the airport. It’s not impossible but you would be cutting it very close. I would consider ordering a GoTrip to take you directly to the airport for peace of mind!

  4. Are two days and a night too much or just about right to explore Chiatura? I was planning on staying at Hotel Nikoli.

    1. Hi Adam – two days is very generous, but if your goal is to see everything then I think it’s suitable. You can also use Chiatura as a base to visit Katskhi, Mghvimevi and Sachkhere. Enjoy!

  5. Very interesting blog but you might want to revisit the comment that “In 1956, reportedly on orders from Joseph Stalin himself … a kanatnaya doroga (rope road) was erected…” Stalin died in 1953.

    1. Hi Julie, thanks very much! Yes that’s right – the cable cars were constructed at the start of the 1950s before opening between 1954-56. I assume it took several years to complete the infrastructure. I have updated the wording for clarity.

  6. Thanks for this guide! We visited Chiatura last week and it was definitely worth it even though the new cable cars didn’t quite have the same charm as the old ones (which can luckily still be spotted hanging around some of the old stations).

    We ended up going to Gazapkhuli 2007 for dinner and the strange vibe was definitely still there. Stepping into the yard we felt almost unwelcome but when asking if they’re open we were pointed towards a table and soon after two people brought us the menu and sat down with us silently waiting for orders without giving any time to thing about what to order. Although they did have an English menu, most of the food on the menu was not available (maybe it was just because it was Monday?) but the beef stew we ended up getting was indeed delicious and khach’ap’uri that we got when trying to order chakapuli wasn’t terrible either.

    1. Glad to hear you enjoyed your time in Chiatura! Hehe, it is a strange restaurant isn’t it. I am going back soon and will track down some alternative options!

  7. I’m in Kutasai and would rather stay in Chiatora rather than try to fit it into one day trip. I’m looking at 3 nights there. I don’t mind having a ‘free day’ if i get everything done. Do you think it is worth it?

    Also, do you know if there are marshrutkas from Chiatora to Tbilisi? thanks

    1. Hi Scott – it depends. The old cable cars have been taken down and the stations are closed. I still really love Chiatura as a city, but if you’re coming for those things specifically, you might be disappointed. Tskaltubo is also a must-see – I would recommend it over Chiatura if you’re looking for photography/urbexing specifically.

      Yes there are definitely direct vans to Tbilisi from Chiatura.

      Have a wonderful trip!

      1. Hi Emily,

        Could you say a bit more about the Chiatura-Tbilisi marshrutka? How frequently do they depart Chiatura for Tbilisi? And where in Chiatura do they leave from? I saw some information for the Tbilisi-Chiatura markshrutky but not the reverse trip.

  8. Hello there,wonderful post ! Is it feasible to do a day trip from Kutaisi to both Tskaltubo and Chiatura? And how safe for a woman to explore these areas alone?

    1. Hi Cma, it’s not really possible or ideal since they are in different directions. You could spend a morning at Tskaltubo then go to Chiatura in the afternoon, for example, but you have to come back through Kutaisi and it wouldn’t give you a lot of time. I recommend you choose one or the other.

      Both places are very safe, I just suggest you try to get back before dark as the roads (especially from Chiatura) are a bit treacherous.

  9. Visited Chiatura today, they replaced the old cable cars with new ones! Was hoping to see the olds ones but it was still a great visit, and honestly new ones are probably for the best. Appreciate all of your tips your blog has been a great resource for us!

      1. Hi, thanks for the guide!
        I don’t know if you’ve found this out in the meantime, but I asked about the murals when I was in the museum today. They told me they were made by Koko Ignatov, but I forgot to ask after a date, sorry!

  10. HI
    TO ask Father Maxim from Church of Simeon Stylites possible on the site?
    or only in some way in advance ?

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