Spean Praptos – Kampong Kdei Bridge

Also known as Kampong Kdei Bridge, Preah Toes Bridge, or Spean Kampong Kdei, it is a grand ancient laterite bridge measuring 86 m long and 14 m wide with 21 arches and topped by a sandstone balustrade with stunning ornamental naga. It received some restorative work in the 1920s and comprehensive restoration in the 1960s by the Royal Khmer Government. In August, September and October, during the rainy season, the river will have a nearly full head of water at times which soon reduces to a small stream during during the drier months.

Between Kampong Kdei and Angkor, it is the largest and grandest of a series of bridges along the RN6 & Ancient Royal Road and is also the most famed of all the Ancient Khmer Bridges whilst the longest is Spean Toap on the Oddar Meanchey-Siem Reap border. The bridge is believed to have been built in the 12th century during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, or at least amended during that area as there is some research to suggest bridge building along the ancient routes may have begun earlier in earlier eras.

It is also depicted on the local 5,000 riel banknote. Today it serves the locals in the area and is an epic monument to the architectural prowess of the ancient Khmer Empire. Locals will often pay respects to their ancestors, leaving drinks and lighting a candle or incense sticks along with a special yearly celebration that takes place on the bridge.

The center of the monumental Naga adorning the balustrade on either side would have originally featured a seated Buddha and the decorative work and the characters depicted on the balustrade are worth some attention. Also at either end are boundary markers depicting guardian devata. On the east side, behind the food stall, there is a large sandstone block, likely a “mile marker” of which there is another further to the east along road 6 and one at Wat Chikreng to the south.

Historical Images

1925

1947-49

1966-67