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reize t1_jac6v2t wrote

Reply to comment by iavicenna in Sumela monastery, Trabzon, Turkiye by Drunkcodes

My first reaction was "WHY" the fuck. I'm pretty sure even in land scarce and incredibly unfavorable terrain, there would've been better places to build anything than here.

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brahbruz t1_jac82qk wrote

Disclaimer: I don't know crap about Türkish spirituality (Türkiyesh? Not sure with the new name).

Monasteries and cathedrals are usually built to be impressive as a show of devotion or to invoke awe deliberately. The challenge of building there was probably part of the reason it was even done.

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meelawsh t1_jadr5d5 wrote

It was built by the Byzantines. Locations like these were picked because of increasing raids by foreign armies or local bandits. See: Meteora in Greece

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iavicenna t1_jacf72b wrote

well if this was the aim, they have been successful

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Stroomschok t1_jad57al wrote

Nah, it's because you've got a bunch of pretty weak-ass monks hiding in a monastery, often quite loaded with expensive artifacts.

Building a stone fuck-you fortress on a steep fuck-siege-weapons mountainside meant all you needed to keep invaders out was not open the door, no fighting required.

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gentlepettingzoo t1_jacgv00 wrote

Safety it's the high ground so if you're constantly dealing with wars and looters whether it's a holy war or whatever the chances of your church and artifacts being destroyed is less likely

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Merfen t1_jaefxy0 wrote

The problem though is if someone wanted your stuff and didn't want to fight you in your cliff castle for it they could just camp at the staircase until everyone starved or gave up.

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kitd t1_jacha81 wrote

Monasteries were often built for spiritual retreat. Get away from the hassles of the real world to allow focus on meditation and prayer. And, you know, not many people are going to be casually passing that place.

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Trumpswells t1_jaczn2l wrote

Also higher up, closer to God, further removed from earthly temptations.

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Human_Robot t1_jad5box wrote

Imagine attacking that place with a sword, a spear, and some bows and arrows. That's often the why.

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