Chrei Temple (Phnom Kulen)

Prasat Chrei (not to be confused with Chup Chrei which is further to the south) is located atop Phnom Kulen, south of Anlong Thom village, south of Prasat Neak Ta and north of Bos Neak Temple. It is part of a group of temples, Anlong Thom, Prasat Neak Ta, Bos Neak, all orientated on a similar north-south axis and opening to the west which has been speculated to possibly hold a relationship to another larger temple or structure to the east (Stern/Evans).

Only the base of the single brick temple remains above ground with a fragment of a round colonette seen.

Historical Notes

The site was documented by Jacques Lagisquet in 1936 whose notes follow with historical images via EFEO.

Prasat Chrei located about 100 m. south of Neak Ta and 5 m. west of the track. We found there a beautiful linteau (photo 3870) and two round columns (photos 3871, 3872, 3875, 3874).

With its pre-Angkorean type II lintel and the decoration of its round columns, this temple seems to be the oldest temple we know of in Kulen at present. It will also be interesting to compare the lintel of this temple with those of Ak Yom and Svay Pream.

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..