Phnom Sruoch (Kampong Thom)

Located just west of the larger and higher Phnom Santuk, Phnom Sruoch features a contemporary monastery and pagoda with remains of an ancient brick temple and small ponds carved into the natural sandstone. A staircase on the south side of the mountain leads up to the site which features remains spread across a large area.

It’s not a large site but it’s quite a pleasant one to stroll around admiring the natural rock monoliths engulfed by trees in places.

Starting on the eastern side, there are several small shrines and remnants of an ancient temple including moonstone (doorstep), sandstone plinths, a pedestal and a fragment of a circular piece, perhaps an offering table that had some decoration. Near the small pagoda that’s under development atop a prominent rise, there are three more collections of remnants, again including pedestals, plinths, along with stone carved sema and stone carved Buddhas. The staircase leading to the site is also carved from sandstone with roughly carved lotus petal decoration and one could wonder if they are recycled material coinciding with the temple remains.

The sema stone and nature of the site of course suggest that it had activity in the Post-Angkorian era like that of nearby Phnom Santuk. With modern activity of the monastery, it’s hard to say what the site may have looked like in its time, let alone what the remnants of the ancient temple may have formed if, in fact, they originate from here.

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..