Preah Khan Kompong Svay

Siem Reap

Preah Khan Kompong Svay covers an area about 5 kilometers square, is oriented to north-east and has four concentric enclosures. It was provided with water by a large baray(2.8 km by 750 m but almost completely dried at present), which crosses the eastern side. On an artificial island (mebon) in the middle of the baray there is Preah Thkol, a cruciform temple in sandstone with a standing central tower. In the southeastern corner stands the remains of the 15 metres high pyramid of Preah Damrei, with laterite enclosure and two stone elephants (Damrei means elephant) at its upper corners. The other two elephants are exhibited at the National Museum of Phnom Penh and Guimet Museum in Paris.

Inside the exterior enclosure, in the middle of the western side of baray, there is Prasat Preah Stung, with a peculiar four-faced central tower in Bayon style, which is preceded by a landing-stage with nāga balaustrades. A laterite causeway leads from here to a centric enclosure, 701 m by 1097 m, surrounded by a moat and endowed with four gopuras similar to Angkor Thom. Near the eastern gopura there is a dharmasala.

The inner laterite enclosure contains the central sanctuary, that stands on a two-tier platform. The central tower collapsed because of a looting attempt in 2003. It has entrances in all cardinal directions and is rounded by a windowed gallery.

Other Attraction

When you think of Cambodia, Angkor Wat and stunning landscapes...

Koh Tonsay is a Cambodian island located off the country’s...

Kampot pepper is world-renowned for its exceptional quality and unique...

The Cambodian Killing Fields are a number of sites in...

Just outside Battambang lies one of Cambodia’s most fascinating natural...

Sambor Prei Kuk is an archaeological site in Cambodia located...

Phare is uniquely Cambodian and daringly modern. Using theater, dance,...

Beng Mealea or Bung Mealea is a temple in the...

Preah Khan Kompong Svay covers an area about 5 kilometers...

Banteay Srei, often called the Lady Temple, is one of...

An early start see us travel through the tree lined...

Getting out into the countryside for scenes of rural life,...

Every so often my work colleagues head to a place...

The museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of...

Kep is a charming coastal town in southern Cambodia, known...

The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is a complex...

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is a museum in Phnom Penh, the...

The Bamboo Train, locally known as the Norry, is one...

Preah Vihear Temple is an ancient Hindu temple built during...

After the sun goes down, the focus shifts firmly a...

Koh Ker is a remote archaeological site in northern Cambodia...

Phnom Kulen, or Kulen Mountain, is one of Cambodia’s most...

The City of Angkor Thom, founded by Jayavarman VII in...

Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument and the...

The floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake offer a fascinating...

Tourists began hearing stories about a young Khmer man, Aki...

Angkor Silk Farm, which produces some of the best work...

Scroll to Top