Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom literally translates into ‘The Great City’, and it certainly fulfills that name. Located in Cambodia the historical landmark is a popular tourist attraction that claims roots all the way back to the 10th century. With an abundance of history and incredible monuments the city easily made it unto my must see list.

Angkor Thom 1

Angkor Thom is the last capital city of the Khmer Empire, and was constructed under the reign of Jayavaram VII. The city was his greatest pride, and inside there can be an inscription found, referring to the city as his bride. The city was built in nearly a perfect square, it’s surrounding 8m walls facing East, North, South, and West respectively, with a gate in the center of each. To further protect Jayavaram’s sacred city, it was said that there was a 100m moat filled with crocodiles. In the exact center of the city is Bayon Temple stands, representing the intersection of heaven and Earth.

Angkor Thom 2

Bayon Temple is one of the main attractions to the city, but the gates are also a popular tourist spot. The best restored gate is the South, and it attracts the most attention, though the East gate was used in a scene of the movie Tomb Raider. Each gate stands flanked by 54 gods on the left and 54 demons on the right, due to a Hindu myth.

Angkor Thom 3

The city is about 360 acres all together, and every inch is taken up by different periods of history, and all fascinating. The Hindu and Buddhist religions create quite a presence, and the temples and statues made in their honor are an integral part of the experience. While this may not be the ideal vacation spot for some, if you’re a history buff it sure is worth looking into when you’re planning a trip to visit the beautiful beaches of Cambodia.

 

 

Citations:

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/cambodia/angkor-thom

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Thom

http://www.tourismcambodia.com/attractions/angkor/angkor-thom.htm

Comments

  1. Lori Bedell says:

    Beautiful. I had never even heard of this place. Great images…. really enticing, inviting.

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