Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley

The Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley in Afghanistan is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This site represents the artistic and religious developments from the 1st to the 13th centuries, integrating various cultural influences into the Gandhara school of Buddhist art.

The Bamiyan Valley is known for its Buddhist monastic ensembles and sanctuaries, as well as fortified edifices from the Islamic period. The most famous features of the valley are the two giant Buddha statues, which were tragically destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. These statues were carved into the cliffs and stood at 55 meters and 38 meters high.

The valley also contains numerous caves with wall paintings and seated Buddha figures, dating from the 3rd to the 5th century C.E. Other groups of caves in the tributary valleys, such as the Kakrak Valley Caves and the caves of Qoul-i Akram and Lalai Ghami, also feature significant archaeological remains.