12 Sky-High Sanctuaries: Remote Monasteries with Unbelievable Views

11. Debre Damo, Ethiopia: Rope Ascent to an Ancient Sky Sanctuary

Perched atop a sheer-sided amba (flat-topped mountain) in northern Ethiopia, Debre Damo is one of the country's oldest and most venerated monasteries, uniquely accessible only by a daring 15-meter (50-foot) climb up a braided leather rope – a privilege traditionally reserved for men. Founded around the 6th century, this highly isolated Ethiopian Orthodox sanctuary preserves ancient manuscripts and remarkable Aksumite-era architecture within its fortified walls. The precipitous ascent ensures its seclusion, maintaining a monastic way of life largely unchanged for centuries, with stunning, windswept views from its sacred plateau.