Richard And Jo Demeester's photos with the keyword: monastery

Perched high above Paro, the climb to this monastery was obviously rewarding. From this viewpoint, it felt tangibly close. We had ascended for nearly 2 hours, climbing somewhere between 500 and 600 metres. But, it was not over. To get "from here to there", we had to descend and re-ascend again, adding perhaps another 100 metres of work. Entry to the monastery is by ticket. The ticket office is at the start of the walk. You don't really want to forget that!

First established in 1620, this monastery north of Thimphu is reached by a 45 minute climb on a very pleasant forest track.

Clinging to the cliff, Sumela Monastery near Trabzon also boasts some beautiful frescoes. However, it is the setting which is an undeniable highlight.

Over time, crosses have been etched in to the exterior walls. Gandzasar monastery, Vank, Nagorno-Karabakh.

Writing from centuries past adorns the interior walls of the main church in the Gandzasar monastery near Vank in Nagorno-Karabakh.

These stairs lead seven metres down to the bottom of a well. Over 1700 years ago, this is where St Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 12 years. He was banished here by the pagan King Trdat III because of his Christian faith. After the king was miraculously healed, he converted, and Armenia became the first Christian nation.

The monastery of Khor Virap with Mount Ararat behind it.

Graves in the floor of the ante-chamber of Surp Karapet, one of the churches at Noravank monastery.

In contrast to Tatev and its cliff top location, Noravank sits in a canyon. The 8 kilometre walk to Noravank is a beautiful and easy approach.

The monastery of Tatev sits so perfectly and picturesquely on the cliff tops. This angle is from the cable car.

Khatchkers were grave markers for many centuries in this part of the world. From simple crosses to ornate scenes and fabulous patterns, occasionally with writing but not commonly so. This detail on a khatchker at Geghard Monastery particularly stood out.

We got here much later in the day than we had planned. The fading light, though, seemed to add to the atmosphere of such a place.

Haghpat Monastery, with the bell tower in the foreground, and a sense of its beautiful location in the background.

A cross carved centuries ago in one of the magnificent pillars of Hamazasp at Haghpat Monastery.