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Top 8 Most Incredibly Isolated Monasteries In The World
There are various monasteries in the world, but some are too isolated and extremely beautiful. In case, if you haven't seen any of these monasteries than must h
There are various monasteries in the world, but some are too isolated and extremely beautiful. In case, if you haven't seen any of these monasteries than must have a look below to the world most incredible monasteries you should visit once in your life.
This Serbian Orthodox Church can be found high up in the rock face of Ostroška Greda—carved out of the stone. It is the most popular pilgrimage site in Montenegro and thousands of people visit each year. Founded by Vasilije, the Metropolitan Bishop of Herzegovina in the 17th century, the bishop is enshrined here, in the cave-church.
Metéora—meaning “middle of the sky”—is high up on a sandstone pillar in the Plain of Thessaly in central Greece. The Eastern Orthodox Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site with perhaps the coolest origin story of the lot. Fable has it that the founder of the monastery, St. Athanasius, didn’t need to climb the rock face to plonk his religious flag in the sandstone: instead, he was carried to the dizzy heights by an eagle. And Meteora Monasteries is one of the popular monasteries in the world.
Looking like something out of Lord of the Rings, the Monastery of Ki (also spelled “Ki,” “Kye,” or “Kee”) is located in Ki Village, in the Himalayas. The Tibetan Buddhist monastery is on top of a hill at an altitude of 4,166 meters (13,670 ft) above sea level overlooking the Spiti Valley.
Hidden away in the remote southeastern Zanskar region, high in the Himalayas, lies Phugtal Gompa, chiseled out of the cliff face of a massive gorge some 3,800 meters (12,500 ft) up.
Home to some 70 monks, the extraordinary structure was established in the 12th century by Lama Gangsem Sherap Sampo. Rather amazingly, though the structure is made of mud bricks, stones, and wood, it has survived hundreds of years.
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Takstang, hangs precariously off the side of a 3,000-meter (9,800-ft) cliff in Paro Valley, Bhutan in the Himalayas. The legend says that Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha, arrived on the cliff on the back of a great tigress, before hopping off his unusual mount and toddling off to find a cave to meditate in; a cave that can now be found within the monastery walls.
In China’s Shanxi province, there can be found “The Hanging Temple.” This monastery is based on a cliff overlooking the nearby Mount Heng. At first glance, this temple, supported by thin-looking stilts, looks like a strong gust of wind would bring it tumbling to the ground, but it must have the luck of the gods (or a really good structural engineer behind it)—it has survived several earthquakes over the years.
Sümela is a 1,600-year-old ancient Orthodox monastery, constructed on rocks reached by a long winding stone stairway through a nearby forest, located 1,200 meters (3,900 ft) up to a cliff in Turkey’s Altindere Valley. Officially abandoned in the 1920s, the monastery now acts as a museum and popular tourist attraction.
People who visit Popa have their head in the clouds, literally! Set some 737 meters (2,400 ft) up to a sheer cliff face, the Popa Taungkalat’s shocking location doesn’t stop there.
The monastery overhangs a volcano—a dormant volcano perhaps, but whether that was the case when the building was created, nobody knew.
Timings: You should visit at 08:00 AM and should leave before 10:00 am.
How To Reach:
8 Most Incredibly Isolated Monasteries:
1. The Monastery Of Ostrog, Montenegro
This Serbian Orthodox Church can be found high up in the rock face of Ostroška Greda—carved out of the stone. It is the most popular pilgrimage site in Montenegro and thousands of people visit each year. Founded by Vasilije, the Metropolitan Bishop of Herzegovina in the 17th century, the bishop is enshrined here, in the cave-church.
- Price: Overnight in the monastery - The lower monastery which has 29 dorm rooms with 8 or 10 beds each and the beds cost €4 per person.; In the monastery grounds, you can the sleeping mats and blankets in the monastery for free! and beware, there's no hotel. 5.30 am is the wake up here!
- How To Reach:
- Private transport: Many of the visitors come on a private tour in Ostrog, which can be bought online or in any major tourist city of Montenegro.
- Public transport: For those who prefer using public transport, there are 7 daily train services which cost around €1.80 each way and stop at Dabovici station in the lower part of the hill.
- Taxi: Also, a taxi is another option when traveling from Niksic, the nearest town to the Ostrog Monastery which is merely at a distance of over 9 miles (15 km).
- Timing: From May to September, the timing is from 6 am – 5 pm daily and from October to April - 5 am – 4 pm daily.
2. Metéora, Greece
Metéora—meaning “middle of the sky”—is high up on a sandstone pillar in the Plain of Thessaly in central Greece. The Eastern Orthodox Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site with perhaps the coolest origin story of the lot. Fable has it that the founder of the monastery, St. Athanasius, didn’t need to climb the rock face to plonk his religious flag in the sandstone: instead, he was carried to the dizzy heights by an eagle. And Meteora Monasteries is one of the popular monasteries in the world.
- Timing: All days of the week, Winters: 9:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 17:00 and in Summers: 9:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 17:00
- Price: 3 € per monastery and entrance for children under 18-years-old is free to all the archaeological sites and museums in Greece.
- How To Reach:
3. Buddhist Monastery Of Ki, India
Looking like something out of Lord of the Rings, the Monastery of Ki (also spelled “Ki,” “Kye,” or “Kee”) is located in Ki Village, in the Himalayas. The Tibetan Buddhist monastery is on top of a hill at an altitude of 4,166 meters (13,670 ft) above sea level overlooking the Spiti Valley.
- Timing: All days of the week, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Price: Free Entry
- How To Reach:
4. Phugtal Gompa, India
Hidden away in the remote southeastern Zanskar region, high in the Himalayas, lies Phugtal Gompa, chiseled out of the cliff face of a massive gorge some 3,800 meters (12,500 ft) up.
Home to some 70 monks, the extraordinary structure was established in the 12th century by Lama Gangsem Sherap Sampo. Rather amazingly, though the structure is made of mud bricks, stones, and wood, it has survived hundreds of years.
- Timing: All days of the week, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Price: Free Entry
- How To Reach:
5. Paro Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Takstang, hangs precariously off the side of a 3,000-meter (9,800-ft) cliff in Paro Valley, Bhutan in the Himalayas. The legend says that Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha, arrived on the cliff on the back of a great tigress, before hopping off his unusual mount and toddling off to find a cave to meditate in; a cave that can now be found within the monastery walls.
- Timing: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm; Monastery is closed between 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and photography is prohibited inside.
- Price: INR 500
- How To Reach:
- Firstly, there are no vehicles allowed there and roads are not navigable also. The starting point of the trek is about 10 miles north of Paro Town, till where you prefer to travel via car. the trek distance of Paro Takstang is at a height of around 1700 ft.
- In the mid-way of the climb, there's a cafeteria, washroom facilities, and a stunning picturesque view of the monastery. The final section of the trek consists of 700 stairs.
Also Read: 10 Most Beautiful Churches In Australia You Must Visit
6. Xuan Kong Monastery, China
In China’s Shanxi province, there can be found “The Hanging Temple.” This monastery is based on a cliff overlooking the nearby Mount Heng. At first glance, this temple, supported by thin-looking stilts, looks like a strong gust of wind would bring it tumbling to the ground, but it must have the luck of the gods (or a really good structural engineer behind it)—it has survived several earthquakes over the years.
- Timing: 9:00 to 17:00
- Price: CNY 130 in peak season and CNY125 in low season.
- How To Reach:
- First, go to Datong City. Then, from Datong Coach Station on Yantong Road board bus to Hunyuan County. After that, take bus 8 or take a taxi to the monastery.
- It is recommended to take a taxi or hire a van from Datong. It will cost around CNY150 for a trip to Datong-Hanging Monastery-Datong.
7. Sümela Monastery, Turkey
Sümela is a 1,600-year-old ancient Orthodox monastery, constructed on rocks reached by a long winding stone stairway through a nearby forest, located 1,200 meters (3,900 ft) up to a cliff in Turkey’s Altindere Valley. Officially abandoned in the 1920s, the monastery now acts as a museum and popular tourist attraction.
- Timing: 09:00 am - 07:00 pm
- Price: 15 TRY
- Best Time to Visit (preferred time): 09:30 am - 04:00 pm
- How To Reach:
- As there’s no public transportation to Sumela Monastery so, the sole way to reach the place is your own transportation or prefer a tour from the nearby city of Trabzon.
- From Trabzon, the price is around 50TL. Also, check some more travel agencies in Trabzon as a few includes 15TL entrance fee in the 50TL tour, others don't.
8. Popa Taungkalat Monastery, Myanmar
People who visit Popa have their head in the clouds, literally! Set some 737 meters (2,400 ft) up to a sheer cliff face, the Popa Taungkalat’s shocking location doesn’t stop there.
The monastery overhangs a volcano—a dormant volcano perhaps, but whether that was the case when the building was created, nobody knew.
Timings: You should visit at 08:00 AM and should leave before 10:00 am.
How To Reach:
- You can hire a car from Bagan and within one hour, you'll reach the place. New Bagan is well-maintained with an airport so travelers can catch a flight from the Yangon
- International Airport to New Bagan, or you can opt to fly to Bagan from the International Airport at Mandalay.
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