Caves have long served as natural canvases for human creativity, housing some of the world's most breathtaking outdoor sculptures. Among the most iconic is the Great Buddha of Leshan in China, a 71-meter-tall statue carved into a cliffside cave overlooking the Min River. This UNESCO-listed marvel dates back to the 8th century and remains the largest stone Buddha sculpture globally.

Equally impressive are the Ajanta and Ellora Caves in India, where intricate rock-cut sculptures of deities and mythological scenes adorn volcanic cave walls. These 2nd-century BCE masterpieces showcase ancient India's sculptural genius.

In Afghanistan, the Bamiyan Buddhas (destroyed in 2001 but now being reconstructed) once stood as monumental cave-carved statues, while Portugal's Foz Côa Valley preserves Paleolithic rock engravings within its cave-like shelters.

Modern examples include the Cave of the Saints in France, featuring contemporary sculptures emerging from natural grotto walls. These extraordinary works demonstrate how artists across millennia have harmonized sculpture with cave geology, creating enduring dialogues between art and nature.