Perched on top of high cliffs, or hanging dangerously on the sides of mountains, these holy places stand as proof that faith makes anything possible. Here are five more places of worship located in the most unbelievable locations:
Yumbulagang Palace – Tibet
The first palace ever built in Tibet and one of the country’s first structures, Yumbulagang has been dominating its surroundings for more than 2,000 years. According to legend, 12 herdsmen saw Nyatri Tsampo, the Heavenly Son, coming down from the sky on a divine ladder, named him king of their tribe and built Yumbulagang in his honor.
After serving as residence for numerous Tibetan Kings, the 5th Dalai Lama changed Yumbulagang into a monastery of the Old Yellow Hat Sect. Standing atop Jormo Zhaxi Ceri Mountain, this holy place still welcomes worshipers and the Dalai Lamas come here for religious service. Although it was seriously damaged during the Cultural Revolution, Yumbulagang was reconstructed in the 1980s.
Sviatohirsk Cave Monastery – Ukraine
One of the most important monasteries in the history of the Russian Empire, Sviatohirsk Monastery, like all other religious outposts, suffered a great deal during Soviet rule. The first mention of the monastery located on the left bank of Severski Donets dates back to 1526. It was invaded several times during the time of the Crimean Khanate but because of its importance to the empire, it was always restored.
At the start of World War I, Sviatohirsk Cave Monastery was home to 600 Orthodox Monks, but when the Soviets came to power they destroyed it along with numerous other holy places. After the Ukraine regained its independence, in 1991, Sviatohirsk was restored and now over 100 monks reside there, with their numbers increasing every year.
Taung Kalat Monastery – Burma (Myanmar)
The most famous spiritual sanctuary in Burma (Myanmar), Taung Kalat Monastery sits atop an extinct volcano plug. Although many people call it Mount Popa, they are mistaking it for the much higher volcano close by. The real name of the cliff is Taung Kalat and is believed to be home to the Nats (37 demigods).
Taung Kalat Buddhist Monastery can be reached by climbing 777 stone steps that go all the way to the top of the hill. On your way up, watch out for the friendly-looking macaques that will snatch all your shiny belongings when you’re not looking.
Ostrog Monastery – Montenegro
Known as the main pilgrimage site in Montenegro, Ostrog Monastery is carved inside a vertical cliff called Oastroska Greda. It was founded in the 17th century, by Basil, Metropolitan of Herzegovina, who was later glorified as Saint Basil of Ostrog. The façade of this sanctuary hides two cave monasteries that hold the remains of Saint Basil and other relics and frescoes traced back to the 17th century.
The religious importance of Ostrog Monastery, its unique setting and breathtaking views of Bjelopavlici Plain draw in over 100,000 worshipers every year, making it one of the three most visited Christian sites on Earth. Orthodox, Catholics and Muslims gather here to pray at the body of Saint Basil, hoping to cure their illnesses.
Golden Rock – Burma (Myanmar)
The third most popular Buddhist site in Burma, after Shwedagon Pagoda Mahamuni Pagoda, Golden Rock is a huge granite boulder dangerously perched on the edge of a cliff, on Mount Kyaiktiyo. A 5.5 meters tall golden pagoda sits atop the rock which has also been covered in gold sheets by Buddhist pilgrims.
Although it looks like Golden Rock is unnaturally defying gravity, Buddhist followers have a perfectly reasonable explanation. It seems a lock of Buddha’s hair is sealed somewhere in the boulder and keeps it from tumbling down.
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