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Small vintage travel poster for
Ariana Afghan Airlines, promoting the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan as a top tourist destination.
The Buddhas of Bamiyan
These two monumental Buddhist reliefs were carved into the sandstone cliffs of the Bamiyan Valley in central Afghanistan, likely during the 6th century.
Size: The taller statue, known as Salsal, stood approximately 53 to 55 meters (175–180 feet) tall, while the smaller one, Shahmama, was about 35 to 38 meters (114–125 feet) high.
Artistic Style: They represented a unique fusion of Gandhara, Gupta, Sasanian, and Byzantine art styles. The bodies were hewn directly from the rock, with details originally added using mud, straw, and stucco.
Destruction: In March 2001, both statues were destroyed by the Taliban following an order from leader Mullah Muhammad Omar, an act that sparked worldwide condemnation.
Current Status
Today, only the empty niches where the statues once stood remain. While the site is a UNESCO World Heritage area, the physical statues are gone, though the Taliban now guard the location and welcome tourists to view the remains. |
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