It was founded in the 4th century AD, making it one of the
oldest monasteries in the region.
The monastery was built into the cliff for a combination
of religious, practical and defensive reasons.
Sümela Monastery is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was an important center of Greek Orthodox Christianity, in primarily a Muslim country, for more than 1,500 years.
It sits at about 2,335 metres (7,660 feet) above sea level and is surrounded by 3 volcanoes.
It is often called the “White City” because many of its historic buildings are made from white sillar, a pale volcanic stone created from eruptions of the volcanoes.
The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its Spanish colonial architecture, large plazas, and churches.
It is located in the Troodos Mountains at an altitude of about 1,318 meters (4,300 ft for those that are metric challenged.)
Founded in the 11th century by the Byzantines, the monastery has stunning mosaics and frescoes showcasing traditional Byzantine artistry.
Over the centuries Kykkos Monastery has been a spiritual and cultural center
Today it still remains an active monastery and a major pilgrimage site.
The mountain religious site was originally established in 819, over
1200 years ago, and has been a place of spiritual significance for centuries.
It is also the
site of Kobo Daishi's mausoleum, the start and end point of the Shikoku 88
Temple Pilgrimage and home to the Shingon School of
Buddhism.
Mt. Koya
remains one of Japan's premier training centres for Esoteric Buddhism with
dozens of temples, gardens, and old-growth trees.
The mountain is recognized as the center of Shingon Buddhism.
Over time it was shaped by earthquakes, wind, rain, and other natural phenomena.
Since the 14th century it has been home to Eastern Orthodox monasteries. At one time there were 30 monasteries,
In 1988 they were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
