Back in the day, monks liked to build their monasteries as far away from the earth’s sins (wink) as possible. Up cliffs, in caves, or sandwiched between rock faces. Hard to get to, and harder to leave.

Centuries on, some have relaxed their visiting laws, but not all. Here’s three monasteries built far, far away from womankind.

Monks or mole people?

David Gareji Lavra is a solid hike up Georgia’s orange hills. This place is home to 19 medieval monasteries dating back to 6 century AD.

It’s all built in and around the sandstone caves, and monks still live here. After snooping round the cells head over the desert to Udabno’s clifftop caves and thousand year old frescoes.

It’s an hour’s drive from Tblisi, then a steep hike.

Not only a lady-free zone, but a 'hermitage' i.e where monks come to hermit themselves away, even from other monks.

This one goes back to 753 AD (AGES ago) and is dedicated to Saint Columbano, who killed a dragon here 🐉

It hasn’t been used for ‘hermitting’ since the 18th Century, but it's still a Roman Catholic church, with frescoes. It’s an hour’s drive from Verona.

“No penis, no entry.”

Mt Athos, or the ‘holy mountain’, has been going strong (and celibate) since the Byzantine era, and it’s still strictly Bobby Danglers only.

Even female animals are banned (seriously).

Galdem - see it by boat. Views of tiny terracotta villages, craggy beaches and the mighty Holy Mount are better with a glass of Greek white in hand.

Hop on a day cruise from Ouranoupolis (3hrs).