This church is made of wood. The reason that it is still standing centuries later is because is was made of a very hard wood, and it is situated in a cave where it is protected from the elements and also from view of invaders.
Last comment 07/16/22.

Sara and Maya's new friends were waiting for them when we finished the tour to hold their hands as we walked back down. No one wanted to hold my hand.. *sniff*
Last comment 04/19/22.

This is the small town just outside of where the church is.
Last comment 04/19/22.

There were tunnels dug into the rock that connected the churches underground. Some were quite long, and it is not known how they could have accurately been dug without modern equipment.
Last comment 07/16/22.

We walked through one which was pitch black inside and I had to duck in order not to hit my head. Since we couldn't see, we had to hold on to each other to make sure that we didn't get lost. I didn't like these tunnels, I was happy when we reached the end of our short tour and were able to see again. :-)
Last comment 04/19/22.

The shadows cast by the sun shining through the holes cut into this tower were used as an ancient calendar.
Last comment 07/16/22.

We got another priest to pose for us.
Last comment 08/13/20.

This church has scaffolding around it to allow workers to repair damage done to the surface of the rock recently by acid rain.
Last comment 04/19/22.

Some monks still live in tiny tomb-like holes cut into the side of the rock.
Last comment 07/16/22.