Maksim Kavtaradze, a Georgian ascetic monk, has spent almost 20 years living on this high limestone monolith in central Georgia. About 40 meters high, the monastery is located near the town of Chiatura and dates back to pre-Christian times.

Maksim only comes down once or twice a week, climbing a super tall — and seemingly rickety — ladder.

He survives on provisions brought to him by the residents of surrounding villages. Deliveries come once a month, usually. As a young man, Maksim spent time in prison for selling drugs. While in prison, he said he decided to change, and began to worship.

Now he lives in this super awesome place:



(Abbas Atilay/GlobalPost)



(Abbas Atilay/GlobalPost)



(Abbas Atilay/GlobalPost)



(Abbas Atilay/GlobalPost)



(Abbas Atilay/GlobalPost)