Rock Cut Architecture
Structures carved in situ into 'living rock' which are not primarily based on natural caves even though in India and China these are often referred to as being 'caves'.
Connected Sites
| Site | Rationale | Link |
| Ajanta Caves | ||
| Ani | great number of rockcarved structures including chapels, burial chambers, warehouses and pigeon houses (AB ev) | |
| Bali Subak system | Gunung Kawi Temple rock cut monuments and monasteries (AB ev) | |
| Dholavira: A Harappan City | Of a series of five buried water reservoirs, the "third one which is centrally located is primarily a rock-cut architecture of excellence, exquisite beauty and superb skill." (Nomination text, p. 121) | |
| El Fuerte de Samaipata | ||
| Elephanta Caves | "The caves are the most magnificent achievement in the history of rock-architecture in western India." (OUV) | |
| Ellora Caves | ||
| Etruscan Necropolises | Several tombs | |
| Gebel Barkal | "rock-cut burials and temples" (AB ev) | |
| Gyeongju | Mount Namsan "The rock-cut reliefs and engravings and the stone images are fine examples of Shilla Kingdom Buddhist art from the 7th to the 14th century. They are artistic masterpieces which trace the evolution of this especially refined school of Buddhist art throughout its most prolific and innovatory period, in particular from the 7th to the 10th century. They depict for the most part Buddha, and also the saints and bodhisattvas associated with him. Skilful use is made of the landscape in siting many of the sculptural groups. The most impressive is probably the Buddha Rock, a massive natural formation in the Tapkol Valley. It is located close to a three storey pagoda, and its three walls are decorated with vivid depictions in bas-relief of Buddha in different incarnations, surrounded by his acolytes and disciples." - Advisory Body Evaluation (2000) | |
| Hegra | rock-cut necropoles | |
| Lalibela | ||
| Longmen Grottoes | ||
| Mahabalipuram | ||
| Matera | ||
| Mogao Caves | ||
| Monastery of Geghard | ||
| Nubian Monuments | Abu Simbel | |
| Oaxaca and Monte Alban | Monte Alban (originally carved out of the mountain) | |
| Pergamon | The Kybele Sanctuary at Kapikaya is a rural rock-cut sanctuary (AB ev) | |
| Petra | ||
| Phu Phrabat | "Wat Look Koei (the son-in-law's temple) is a rock shelter modified to create a monastery. (...) The back wall and the lower portions of the two side walls were carved from the rock pillar that supports the top rock." - "Tam Phra (the monk's cave) was a large rock shelter, but the top rock slab collapsed and broke into several pieces sometime in the past. Its bottom part was carved into a large room, with many Buddhist statues sculpted out of the rock pillar." (AB Ev) | |
| Qadisha Valley | Qannubin Monastery and others | |
| Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo | "Many churches, chapels, monasteries and cells were cut into the natural rock along the Rusenski Lom river, during the 13-14th centuries." (OUV) – "The Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo (...) are a group of monolithic churches, chapels and monasteries hewn out of solid rock" (Wikipedia) | |
| Saint-Emilion | Monolithic church, carved from a limestone cliff | |
| Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries | Rock-carved Seated Buddha, Treasure No. 216 (Beopjusa Temple) - Nomination File | |
| Syracuse | Pantalica | |
| Val d'Orcia | The cave of San Filippo Benizi is a small oratory located in Bagni San Filippo in Castiglione d'Orcia, carved out of a large block of travertine in the shape of a vault closed at the ends by two walls and divided in two by a partition wall. (Nomination file, p. 74-75) | |
| Yungang Grottoes |
Suggestions?
Do you know of another WHS we could connect to Rock Cut Architecture?
A connection should:
- Not be "self evident"
- Link at least 3 different sites
- Not duplicate or merely subdivide the "Category" assignment already identified on this site.
- Add some knowledge or insight (whether significant or trivial!) about WHS for the users of this site
- Be explained, with reference to a source