Preah Khan of Kampong Svay — Prasat Bakan
Angkor (12th c. CE, Suryavarman I)·Khmer·🇰🇭 Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia
About
About Preah Khan of Kampong Svay — Prasat Bakan
Preah Khan of Kampong Svay — Prasat Bakan in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia is a Angkor (12th c. CE, Suryavarman I) temple-complex attributed to Khmer. Largest Angkorian religious enclosure 4 × 4 km with Bakan sanctuary in center, laterite outer wall. Largest temple enclosure in Cambodia enclosing Bakan with sandstone towers, satellite inscription K.298.
Why it mattersType-site for Khmer temple architecture
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronological sequence refinement
- 02Iconography program
Theories
- 01Shaivite cult centre
- 02Hydraulic kingship model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1050 CE expanded 12th c.
- Period
- Angkor (12th c. CE, Suryavarman I)
- Culture
- Khmer
- Purpose
- Largest Angkorian religious enclosure 4 × 4 km with Bakan sanctuary in center, laterite outer wall
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1050 CE expanded 12th c.
Initial construction
c. 1990 CE
UNESCO / EFEO restoration
On the ground
Structures & features
13.3400° N · 104.7600° E · 70 m · 3 mapped features
- Preah Khan of Kampong Svay — Prasat Bakan — Central Sanctuary TowertowerCentral kalan or prang shrine13.3402° N · 104.7601° E
- Preah Khan of Kampong Svay — Prasat Bakan — Mandapa / Gopura HallmandapaEntrance mandapa or gopura13.3398° N · 104.7602° E
- Preah Khan of Kampong Svay — Prasat Bakan — Enclosure and MoatenclosureOuter laterite enclosure and moat13.3405° N · 104.7598° E
Gallery