The steep cliffs overlooking the monastery havesome of the oldest manmade caves in the region. These ancient caves were builtcenturies ago and were used by the monks as dwellings in the harsh winter; some of them are still in use. Quite a few caves have now been converted into houses as structures have been built in front of them. There is also evidence that a natural, arch-like cave was the possible abode of a Palaeolithic man.