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

A huge wedge of rock has slipped, and sits precariously on a ledge.

In the lower part of the Ihlara Valley, towards Selime. The majority of tourists do not walk through this part of the valley, but there are still caves to be seen, and the scenery is stunning.

Whoever placed the first stones of the walls must have had nerves of steel, particularly given the age of the building and the probable entire lack of safety measures that would have been in place back then. A fantastic example of some fine engineering skills, considering the entire walls would have been built from the inside.

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

View of the aforementioned chapel at Vanis Qvabebi. The only access is via a series of tunnels and ladders that begins in one of the lower caves, and winds up inside the rock.

High up on the cliffs, in the cave city of Vanis Qvabebi, near Vardzia, this chapel sits on a narrow ledge. Unfortunately, the height is not conveyed by the photo, but if you make out the steps below in the steep sided valley, you can start to comprehend the precarious location of this little building. This cave city predates Vardzia by about 400 years, with the earliest caves (and this chapel) dating to the 9th century.

View to the 800 year old cave city of Vardzia. More than just a monastery and centre of learning, it was a city in its own right. While many of the caves were used for living, there were stables and libraries and schools. In the photo, you can see the arches from some of the churches and chapels.

On our second day at Petra, we climbed to one of the lookouts high above the Treasury. Over the edge, this was the view. I sent a “coo-eee” down, but my voice cracked part way and we just laughed so much that I was unable to do a proper one.