Temples, pagodas, churches, castles and houses are built on rocks perched precariously on the edge of mountains. Some structures can only be reached by plane or at least by extreme mountain climbing.
The Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe chapel near Le Puy-en-Velay, southern France, is more than 1,000 years old. It was built on a 73-meter-high volcanic peak. To get there, visitors must climb 268 steps carved into the rock.
Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe Chapel
This stunning church sits 40 meters above the Katskhi pillar in Georgia. For centuries, locals could only look up at the mysterious ruins, unable to reach them. Finally, in 1944, a group of climbers led by Alexander Japaridze reached the top and explored the remains of the chapel. Only those with permission can continue climbing the rock to the top.
The church on top of the Katskhi pillar in Georgia
Meteora in central Greece is home to many magnificent monasteries. The Trinity Monastery pictured here dates back to 1392 and appeared in a James Bond movie. Visitors must climb 140 steps to reach the monastery.
Trinity Monastery in Greece
The town of Bonifacio in Corsica sits right on the edge of a limestone cliff. The only way to get there is by boat.
The town of Bonifacio in Corsica
The Hanging Temple was built against a cliff in Shanxi Province, China in 491. The temple is called Xuan Kong Temple, and is also located on a precarious cliff, 50 meters above the ground. On both sides are cliffs over 100 meters high, as vertical as if cut by a knife. The temple gives visitors the feeling as if the temple is stuck to the cliff.
Xuan Kong Temple
Castellfollit de la Roca is a picturesque medieval village built into basalt rock in northeastern Spain.
The medieval village of Castellfollit de la Roca
The Popa Taungkalat Temple is located on the crater of the extinct volcano Mount Popa in central Myanmar. From a distance, the temple looks like a sand castle. The temple is still used for religious activities.
Popa Taungkalat Temple
This building is located on a rock in Gaztelugatxeko Doniene, in the Bay of Biscay, off the coast of Spain. It dates back to the 10th century and is connected to the mainland by a bridge.
The building is located on a rock in Gaztelugatxeko Doniene, in the Bay of Biscay (Spain)
Casas Colgadas, or hanging houses, in Cuenca province, Spain.
The Hanging House, in Cuenca province, Spain
Paro Taktsang Monastery is a Buddhist temple complex located in the Himalayas in Bhutan. Paro Taktsang was built in 1692 but was almost completely destroyed in a fire in 1998. However, the Bhutanese government donated money to restore this famous architecture.
The Hanging House, in Cuenca province, Spain
Swallow's Nest Castle sits on the edge of the Aurora Cliffs in Crimea. It was built in 1911 and survived an earthquake. Today, it is open to visitors and houses an Italian restaurant.
Swallow's Nest Castle
Nugget Point Lighthouse is a landmark on the South Island of New Zealand. A steep path leads visitors to this amazing structure. Construction on Nugget Point began in 1870 and took four years to complete.
Nugget Point Lighthouse
This is the town of Corte in Corsica. On top of the rock is a citadel, a tourist office and a museum of Corsica.
The citadel in the town of Corte in Corsica
The picturesque village of Manarola sits on a cliff in northwestern Italy. It is famous for its sweet Sciacchetra wine.
Manarola Village in Northwest Italy
The tiny village of Vernazza sits on a cliff on Italy's Cinque Terre coast. Cars are not allowed here. This fishing village was once protected from pirates by the Italian navy.
The small village of Vernazza on the Cinque Terre coast of Italy
The ruins of Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven, Scotland are not as tall as the other structures above, but they were once home to national hero William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots and King Charles II. The castle is open to visitors all year round.
Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven, Scotland
