Built on the edge of what is architecturally possible, these monasteries cling to rock faces, lava pillars and mountaintop. The holy sites are the chosen residences of monks who dwell in these lofty heights to escape from the distractions of society.
Taktsang Palphug Monastery, also known as "Tiger's Nest"
![taktsang monastery]()
Paro Valley, Bhutan
Xuan Kong Si Monastery, also called Datong Temple
![datong temple]()
Shanxi, China
Sumela Monastery
![sumela monastery]()
Altindere Valley, Turkey
Metéora Monasteries
![meteora]()
Plain of Thessaly, Greece
Mont-Saint Michel Monastery
Manche, France
Popa Taungkalat Monastery
![popa taungkalat]()
Myanmar
St. George Monastery
![stgeorge monastery israel]()
Israel
Phugtal Gompa
![phugtal gompa]()
Zanskar, India
Simonopetra monastery
![mount athos monastery]()
Mount Athos, Greece
Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa
![hozoviotissa]()
Amorgos, Greece
Madonna Del Sasso
![madonna del sasso]()
Lake Maggiore, Switzerland
Der Mar Musa Al-Habashi
![mar musa monastery]()
An-Nabk District, Syria
Yumbulagang
![yumbulagang]()
Yarlung Valley, Tibet
Monastery Of Ostrog
![ostrog monastery]()
Montenegro
Abbaye Saint Martin du Canigou
![canigou]()
Pyrenees Mountains, France
h/t to Scribol
Taktsang Palphug Monastery, also known as "Tiger's Nest"
Paro Valley, Bhutan
Xuan Kong Si Monastery, also called Datong Temple
Shanxi, China
Sumela Monastery
Altindere Valley, Turkey
Metéora Monasteries
Plain of Thessaly, Greece
Mont-Saint Michel Monastery
Manche, France
Popa Taungkalat Monastery
Myanmar
St. George Monastery
Israel
Phugtal Gompa
Zanskar, India
Simonopetra monastery
Mount Athos, Greece
Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa
Amorgos, Greece
Madonna Del Sasso
Lake Maggiore, Switzerland
Der Mar Musa Al-Habashi
An-Nabk District, Syria
Yumbulagang
Yarlung Valley, Tibet
Monastery Of Ostrog
Montenegro
Abbaye Saint Martin du Canigou
Pyrenees Mountains, France
h/t to Scribol