12 Sky-High Sanctuaries: Remote Monasteries with Unbelievable Views

8. Monastery of Saint George, Judean Desert: Canyon Sanctuary of Ancient Echoes

Seemingly embedded within the sheer, sun-scorched cliffs of the Judean Desert’s dramatic Wadi Qelt, the Monastery of Saint George of Choziba is an astonishing vision of enduring faith. This ancient Greek Orthodox sanctuary, with roots stretching back to the 4th century, appears almost as a mirage against the arid wilderness. Its blue-domed chapels and terraced gardens cling precariously, offering a spiritual oasis rich with vibrant frescoes and the echoes of hermits and prophets who sought refuge here. Reaching it demands a desert trek, rewarding visitors with profound serenity and a tangible connection to early Christian monasticism in a truly impossible, breathtaking perch.