Thmor Samleang Temple

Located 30km north of Angkor Thom and also known as Prasat Samleang Pol, the site features the remains of three brick temples in a good state of preservation. It is located on a rocky plateau about mid-way up the southern face at the eastern end of a U-shaped mountain known as Phnom Thmor (or Thma).

To guess, the site may date to around the late 10th to 11th century. There are no inscriptions, nor artwork seen to indicate the site’s denomination as Hindu or Buddhist, but, some 3 km to the south there sits a Buddhist boundary marker that may or may not be related to the site, and further exploration may find more to help resolve that point. Seeing this site, others like the Phnom Kambot come to mind.

The three temples are aligned on a north-south axis and open to the east with the central tower slightly larger than its counterparts. The central tower is also the best preserved of the three retaining its pink sandstone doorframe, thinner than usual and featuring miter joints. This doorframe also features a thin sandstone lintel beam that projects inwards featuring two round holes that one could safely assume were the pivots for a wooden door. Remnants of sandstone embellishments can be seen around the door, likely fragments of the pilaster or columns that once flanked the doorway. A large sandstone plinth, also with holes for door pivots leans against the side of the tower.

The towers featured decorative molding set into the brickwork around the base of the tower and around the eaves. The corners of the towers are presented and each face features pilasters and arch formed in the brickwork that slightly tapers out at the top.

Getting There: As of 07/23, there is no permanent trail leading up to the site. On this occasion, we were lucky enough to meet a local lady who lives nearby who showed us a way up. To the west some km away is Prasat Trav and to the southeast is Peung Tanon.

Rodney Charles LHuillier

Living in Asia for over a decade and now residing in beautiful Siem Reap. Rodney Charles L'Huillier has spent over seven years in Cambodia and is the author of Ancient Cambodia (2024) and Essential Siem Reap (2017, 2019). Contact via [email protected] - more..