Preah Srei Temple

Originally a group of temples, today, only one remains standing but, it is one of the most ornate of the big brick temples that are still with us.

It rises up on a high base and opens to the east with a sandstone doorframe topped by a sandstone lintel supported by decorated round columns with false doors on the north and south also topped by a sandstone lintel. The west door, a false door, has a sandstone doorframe topped by sandstone lintel.

Either side of the doors are ornate pilasters with embossed carvings of palaces in between them. This format continues up the three further false levels of the temple.

Unfortunately, the temple was locked at the time of visiting so what’s inside today, I don’t know, previously there were remnants of Buddha statues. Beside the temple there is also the base of a Buddha statue. The site is located on monastery grounds and fronted by a contemporary pagoda. There are several shelters around the monastery housing further remnants.

Historical Photos

Undated photos from Fonds Cambodge show the two temples side by side, the one that is still standing today the larger of the two. It’s unknown to me what the fate was for the other.

Rodney Charles LHuillier

Living in Asia for over a decade and now residing in beautiful Siem Reap - Contact via [email protected] - more..