The Bamiyan Valley, located in central Afghanistan, is a place of immense historical and cultural significance. Nestled in the rugged mountains, the valley was once a thriving hub of Buddhist art and religion. It is most famous for the two monumental statues of Buddha carved into the cliffs, which stood as towering testaments to the region’s rich heritage.
The cultural landscape and archaeological remains of the Bamiyan Valley represent the artistic and religious developments which from the 1st to the 13th centuries characterized ancient Bakhtria, integrating various cultural influences into the Gandhara school of Buddhist art.
The area contains numerous Buddhist monastic ensembles and sanctuaries, as well as fortified edifices from the Islamic period.
