Sambor Prei Kuk

The pre-Angkorian monuments of Sambor Prei Kuk are located 25 km northeast of Kampong Thom, near the west bank of the Saen River.

Researchers recovered dikes which framed a nearly square city, 2 by 2 km.

Three groups of temples were built at the East of the city,

• The South Group, built by King Ishanavarman I (616 - 628).
  South Group
• The Central Group, built by King Jayavarman II (800 - 850).
• The North Group, built by King Bhavavarman I (ca. 550 - 598).
  Central and North Groups

These complexes are of similar structure:

The central tower is raised on a platform, and surrounded by smaller towers. The towers sheltered a lingam in a pedestal or a statues of the gods and goddesses. Generally each tower has an entrance to the East and false doors at the other faces. Each group is enclosed by two concentric brick walls. The whole complex is symmetrical to its east-west axis. These temples were linked to the river by straight avenues. All towers are of brick. Entrances and false doors are of sandstone.

See: The structure of the North Group

Other temples:

• To the South are the temples of Trapeang Ropeak.
• Just north of the North Group are several towers.
  Northern and southern temples
• 2 km north are the ruins of Robang Romeas and Srey Kroup Leak.
• To the Northwest, in the north-east quarter of the ancient city, is Prasat Tamom.
  Robang Romeas, Srey Kroup Leak, and Prasat Tamom.
  

Access:

The road to Sambor Prei Kuk (and Preah Vihear) branches from the RN 6, 5 km north of Kampong Thom. After 15 km, you turn right. $ 3 entrance fee. Plain food stalls.

External links

Wikipedia
Download the Sambor Prei Kuk-series of Eric de Vries as a PDF here... for free (4,2 mb)
Recommended tour guides
Andy Brouwer's Cambodia tales: Sambor Prei Kuk

References:

• [EFEO] Carte archéologique du Cambodge Groupe de Sambor Prei Kuk, 2007.
• Claude Jacques, Philippe Lafond, The Khmer Empire Cities and Sanctuaries from the 5th to the 13th Century, Bangkok 2007, p. 81 - 97.

• Briggs, Lawrence Palmer, The Ancient Khmer Empire, 195, Bangkok 1999, p. 74-75, 86.

• Parmentier, Henri, L'art khmer primitif, 2 vol., Paris 1927.