Rock-Cut Architecture: 9 Fascinating Buildings Carved Out of Mountains, Stones, and Hills

Maya Chawla

December 24, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.

The Lycian King Tombs of Kaunos (Turkey)

Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo (Bulgaria)

Petra (Jordan)

In its heyday, Petra was once the thriving capital of the Nabataean Kingdom. Carved out of rose-colored cliffs, this ancient city, once a massive hub for trade, features façades and tombs dating back to the 4th century BCE. An esteemed World Heritage Site, its notable features include not only the elaborate tombs and temples, network of reservoirs, and many carefully-managed tunnel and channels, but also the “fusion of Hellenistic architectural facades with traditional Nabataean rock-cut temple/tombs…a unique artistic achievement and an outstanding architectural ensemble,” as its designation states. And a bonus for the movie buffs: Petra’s Treasury, seen here, was featured prominently in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989).

Photo: Nick Brundle Photography/Getty Images

From Egyptian and Indian temples to Turkish and Iranian villages, these structures are testaments to human ingenuity and artistry

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

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