Cave of Bethlehem, Ancient Christian cave temple at Mount Kazbek, Georgia.
The Cave of Bethlehem is an early Christian cave temple located on Mount Kazbek at an elevation of approximately 4100 meters (13,450 feet). The interior features a dome-shaped vault with curved walls and a floor paved with square tiles.
The site dates to the 6th century and represents one of the earliest Christian places of worship in this mountain region. Archaeological finds including monks' cells, carved stone crosses, and stone pillars confirm its use as a monastic center.
The Georgian Orthodox Church holds this cave sacred, with local tradition telling that it once sheltered Christ's manger and the tent of Patriarch Abraham. Pilgrims and visitors today still sense the deep spiritual weight that draws people to this isolated place.
Reaching the entrance requires climbing chains that are anchored into the rock, positioned 300 to 400 meters up a reddish andesite cliff face. Good physical condition and a head for heights are essential since the climb is steep and exposed.
A 1948 expedition discovered a 5.5-meter-long metal chain at the entrance, confirming long-standing accounts from mountaineers who had visited before. This finding revealed that climbers have relied on the same aid for reaching the sacred site for centuries.
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