Buddhas of Bamiyan

The Bamiyan Buddhas were massive statues carved into the cliffs of Bamiyan and are among Afghanistan’s most iconic ancient symbols as well as world heritage treasures.
The two statues, 53 meters and 38 meters tall, were created around the 6th century CE by Buddhist monks influenced by Gandhara art. At that time, Bamiyan was a major center of Buddhism in Central Asia. Unfortunately, these statues were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, but their remains still stand as a symbol of Afghanistan’s rich history, religious tolerance, and ancient stone-carving artistry.