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Old photos of Bamyan

12 photographs of Bamyan, from 1931 to 2025 — each pinned to the exact place it was taken.

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What the photos show

The 12 photographs of Bamyan on PlaceWas span 6 decades, from 1931 to 2025. 6 of them were taken before 1980; the other 6 are recent views of the same streets and landmarks.1 spot was photographed more than once, so you can compare the same street, square or building across the years.12 of the photos carry a written caption explaining what is in the frame. Every picture is pinned to the place it was taken, so the map below shows where the photographers stood.

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Places in Bamyan through time

Spots photographed more than once — compare the same place across the years.

The "small" (36 m high) of the buddhas statues, Bamyan — photos through time
The "small" (36 m high) of the buddhas statues 2 photos · 1977

Stories from Bamyan

What contributors wrote about these photographs.

Бамианская статуя Будды, Bamyan, 1931
Бамианская статуя Будды 1931 One of the monumental Buddha statues carved into the sandstone cliffs at Bamyan, photographed in 1931; the statues dated to the 6th century and stood in the valley until their destruction in 2001.
Bamiyan Valley from atop the head of the Western Buddha, Bamyan, 1963
Bamiyan Valley from atop the head of the Western Buddha 1963 A view over the Bamiyan Valley in central Afghanistan taken from the top of the head of the western Buddha statue, one of two colossal figures carved into the valley's sandstone cliffs.
Shahr e Gholghola, Bamyan, 2009
Shahr e Gholghola 2009 The ruins of Shahr-e Gholghola, an ancient citadel near Bamyan, Afghanistan said to have been destroyed by the Mongol army of Genghis Khan, are shown in this 2009 photograph. Local tradition holds that the site earned…
Vista de Bamiyan Afganistán en, Bamyan, 2010
Vista de Bamiyan Afganistán en 2010 The Bamiyan valley in central Afghanistan, photographed in 2010. The valley was long known for its monumental Buddha statues carved into the cliffside, which were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, leaving the empty…
The valley of Bamiyan, Bamyan, 2012
The valley of Bamiyan 2012 The Bamiyan valley in central Afghanistan once held two monumental Buddha statues carved into its cliffs, destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. This photograph of the valley dates from 2012.
Morning view to Buddha from the road April, Bamyan, 2021
Morning view to Buddha from the road April 2021 This 2021 photograph looks toward the cliffside niches of Bamiyan, Afghanistan, where two monumental Buddha statues stood for over a thousand years before their destruction in 2001.
Western Buddha Niche Bamyan, Bamyan, 2025
Western Buddha Niche Bamyan 2025 The western niche in the cliffs of Bamyan, Afghanistan, once held the larger of two monumental Buddha statues, standing about fifty-five meters tall, before the Taliban destroyed both figures in 2001.
Buddhist Cave in Bamyan, Bamyan, 2025
Buddhist Cave in Bamyan 2025 This cave is part of the extensive network carved into the cliffs of Bamyan, Afghanistan, once housing Buddhist monks and pilgrims near the site of the colossal Buddha statues destroyed in 2001.
1930s · 2 photos
Бамианская статуя Будды, Bamyan, 1931
Бамианская статуя Будды 1931
Бамианская статуя Будды, Bamyan, 1933
Бамианская статуя Будды 1933
1960s · 1 photo
Bamiyan Valley from atop the head of the Western Buddha, Bamyan, 1963
Bamiyan Valley from atop the head of the Western Buddha 1963
1970s · 3 photos
Bamiyan, the rockwall with the statues of Buddha in 1977 before the great loss, Bamyan, 1977
Bamiyan, the rockwall with the statues of Buddha in 1977 before the great loss 1977
The "small" (36 m high) of the buddhas statues, Bamyan, 1977
The "small" (36 m high) of the buddhas statues 1977
The big (53 m high) of the great Buddha statues, Bamyan, 1977
The big (53 m high) of the great Buddha statues 1977
2000s · 1 photo
Shahr e Gholghola, Bamyan, 2009
Shahr e Gholghola 2009
2010s · 2 photos
Vista de Bamiyan Afganistán en, Bamyan, 2010
Vista de Bamiyan Afganistán en 2010
The valley of Bamiyan, Bamyan, 2012
The valley of Bamiyan 2012
2020s · 3 photos
Morning view to Buddha from the road April, Bamyan, 2021
Morning view to Buddha from the road April 2021
Buddhist Cave in Bamyan, Bamyan, 2025
Buddhist Cave in Bamyan 2025
Western Buddha Niche Bamyan, Bamyan, 2025
Western Buddha Niche Bamyan 2025