Banteay Prey Temple

Also known as Prasat Banteay Prei, it is located in Angkor Archaeological Park or Siem Reap, north of Preah Khan and just off the Grand Circuit road. First, you’ll find Prasat Prei, and then 100 m further on is the larger Banteay Prei site. The temples were built in the late 12th to early 13th century during the Jayavarman VII era.

The site must have been an important site in its day, featuring an outer wall, an inner moat (usually dry) that is crossed by causeways on the west and east, basins, an inner galleried enclosure with four gopuras and pavilions on each corner, all of which enclosed a single inner sanctuary.

One side of the easter gopura features interesting vertical medallions, there are also some remains of lintels to be seen and many apsara bas-reliefs remain intact. The door jambs also rich the rich tapestry that became common in temples of the era. On the eastern entrance that crosses the moat, you can see the remains of what would have been a short but ornate naga balustrade including a large garuda on naga end ornamentation presently laying on the ground.

On the door jambs and in other curious places keep the site features short inscriptions recorded by Cœdès in the early 1900s (see L’épigraphie des monuments de Jayavarman VII) and later translated by Soutif (I believe) more recently that list the names of builders and the names of the deity.

On the east side of the site, between the moat and outer wall, south of the causeway, there are linear laterite remains of another structure. I wonder if it is a Buddhist Terrace addition from the post-Angkor period but I am unsure and will add more info as it’s found.

The site is somewhat pleasant, being rarely visited, easy to get to, and having a nice peaceful natural setting. During the wet season, the moat will return to life and along with the lush green grass, the site transforms into a true ruinous beauty.

Banteay Prei has recently had some restoration works completed on the north gopura.

Open Hours: 7.30 AM to 5.30 PM – Angkor Pass is required.