Spean Ta Ong

Also recorded as Spean Ta Oak. It is an ancient laterite bridge measuring 63 m long, 12 m wide, and 7.3 m high featuring 14 arches, and is recorded as the largest bridge along the ancient East Royal Road that connected Angkor to Beng Mealea to Preah Khan (Kampong Svay) – See the map of the ancient roads. The bridge has naga balustrades much of which are still in situ. 

It’s believed that bridges along the East Royal Road were built during the reigns of Suryavarman I (1002–1049) and Suryavarman II (1113–ca.1150), with additions made by Jayavarman VII (1182–ca.1218). It was visited by the French artist Louis Delaporte who left us with beautiful drawings of the bridge as it was in the late 1800s in his publication Voyage au Cambodge; l’architecture Khmer.

The bridge is still in use and quite a relaxing place to sit as local life passes by, farmers, people fishing, and even moto ice-cream hawkers! The road has way features modern bollards added in recent times in an attempt to stop larger vehicles.

The naga balustrade is ornately decorated and the naga end pieces are some of the finest examples of art, one of which is almost intact and I feel we are so lucky to still see this in situ.

Rodney Charles LHuillier

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