These six Greek Orthodox monasteries, built between the 14th and 16th centuries, are located at Metéora and most are perched on high cliffs accessible by staircases cut into the rock and through a basket or net that is lowered by a rope from the top. Supplies are still hoisted up this way and, at one time, the monks were too.

The narthex of each, where unbaptized worshippers had to wait, is decorated with scenes of gruesome torture that early Christians had to endure: dismemberment, disembowelling, flaying and similar disincentives to holding fast to Christianity. The idea was to impress on new or prospective converts the sacrifices made by their forebears. Not what we would think of today as a warmly welcoming seeker friendly experience – but it worked, apparently.

To my intense annoyance, my DSLR body chose the second day of our excursion to self-destruct, so these photos are taken with a very limited point and shoot camera. Such was my frustration that my wife persuaded me to buy a replacement body when we returned to Athens.