Preah Stoeng of Preah Khan of Kampong Svay

The site is located at the western edge of the baray of Preah Khan of Kampong Svay, preceding the temple proper by around 500m. Prasat Preah Stoeng, also recorded as Preah Stun/Stung temple, is believed to date to the 12th century. It features the remains of an outer galleried enclosure containing a “library” building and a tall central shrine that is topped by stunning faces at each of its cardinal points. This central shrine has a large mandapa, or hall, leading east, connecting with the east gopura (entrance).

In each of the entrances, you can see the wells atop of which would have likely been statues. Internally, it is a sea of sandstone rubble. It appears as it was never fully completed receiving little artistic carving bar the wonderful faces, although, it’s final rendering may have been in stucco.

The enclosure wall (quite ruinous) featured entrances on each side while the eastern entrance led to a very large square terrace that was fronted by a cruciform terrace that connected with the baray (reservoir). This cruciform terrace is especially notable for having ornately carved tri-headed Hamsa.

Images Dec 2021

Update 18/12/22 – Some images of the eastern terrace from a more recent visit

Update 2024 – some more photos

Historical Notes

Prasat Práh Stữn. This important shrine is located on the axis of Práh Khẩn, on the edge of the bay (in the center of the western dyke).

Its presence had escaped DOUDART DE LAGRÉE. DELAPORTE gives a fairly correct plan of it, but, strangely enough, does not mention it in the text. AYMONIER also says nothing about it, and LUNET DE LAJONQUIÈRE only mentions it thanks to a communication from MORAND. In 1924 a brief description appeared in the Bulletin, where the author points out this unique detail of the decoration with faces on a central sanctuary.

I will add that a composition no less particular is that of the plan of the same sanctuary, which is surrounded by a tortuous gallery, very dark, because it only gets light through very small doors. The whole gives an extremely massive impression.

This central sanctuary is preceded to the east by a pillared hall which connects it to the gopura of the enclosure. On the south side of the axis is the library, which should be noted to be open to the east and west, and preceded by vestibules in both directions. This building has completely collapsed.

The enclosure itself consists of a vaulted gallery, to which a half-vault is attached. Only a few elements remain, which have however made it possible to trace the plan.

The Prasat Práh Stün was preceded to the east by a large rectangular platform bordered by laterite, which ended at a cruciform terrace, right on the waters of the baray that the natives call in its western part the Práh Stün. The walls of the terrace have rows of hamsa, and the very curious corner motif of a three-headed hamsa. All the elements of the Pràsát Práh Stữn are imbued with the art of Bayon. The tower with faces alone would be enough to prove it.

Henri Mauger, BEFEO, 1939

Layout Image

Site layout illustration via Mauger Henri. Práh Khẵn de Kốmpon Svày. In: Bulletin de l’Ecole française d’Extrême-Orient. Tome 39, 1939. pp. 197-220

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..