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Beng Mealea | |
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Located east of the Phnom Kulen, 25 km from Angkor, Beng Mealea was a large Buddhist monastic city centered by a flat temple. By the dimensions, by the ground plan and by the style the temple is similar to Angkor Wat (first half of 12th century) with which it is contemporary. Beng Mealea is badly destroyed and partially overgrown. All gates, the central tower and the mandapa have collapsed. The central tower is framed by three galleries; the outer gallery measures 190 m by 170 m. In the East a cruciform gallery links the first gallery to the second. In the South of the third enclosure are two "palaces" (gallery halls). The city was surrounded by an enclosure wall and a moat. The moat is crossed by causeways of sandstone. Naga balustrades are protecting the edges, which are supported by columns: an imitation of a wooden bridge. This is the style of the Bayon era. East of it is a Baray; from here, starting with a terrace, an avenue runs to the temple's main entrance. Visit The finest approach is from the Terrace T at the dike of the Baray. (A paved road ends just south of the terrace.) An Avenue, framed by stone poles and water basins, runs to the main gate of the temple. Turn right to find the entrance A to the northern and central parts of the complex, accessible by wooden stairways and bridges. This you can do on your own. The southern and western parts are accessible from inside B, near the south Fire Shrine is the gate to the gallery halls. Here a guide is strongly recommended! Look around. Leave the temple at the outer south Gate S . Here you can find restaurants R. |
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Prasat Chrei is an other, smaller, and overgrown ruin, south of the baray. Photo AlbumExternal link: All Points East Travelblog Access References
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