Sean’s 50th Birthday Trip

Tucked away in a little rift valley in the middle of miles of rolling fields are the rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo. There is only one open to the public, and you follow a path up to the top of a hill through a forest full of birdsong.

The churches date from the 14th century, and have some incredibly well-preserved frescos of saints, the Last Supper, the Transfiguration and more. Many of the faces on the apostles are missing in the paintings, they think because some people thought that taking their eyes could help with eye problems (yikes!).

It was hot but so peaceful here - and those monks must have been in pretty good shape!Read more