Trapeang Prasat (Oddor Meanchey Province)

A group of three ancient brick temples aligned on a north-south axis built on a common platform. Surrounded by an outer enclosure wall around 40 m x 40 m constructed of laterite, all three have single open doorways opening to the east and are fronted by a brick “library” building in the southeast corner. Further to the east is a grand basin measuring around 330 m x 170 m.

The outer enclosure features the remains of entrance pavilions on the west and eastern side constructed of laterite and brick with sandstone doorways. The eastern side pavilion is much larger than that of the west.

As mentioned, the three temples are built on a common base platform of laterite but interestingly feature decorated sandstone base molding. That base molding extends to the east creating a base for a forebody that no longer exists. The central tower is the most intact and while all three are of similar design only the central temple features a sandstone false door on its western side.

On the north and south side of the central tower, you can still see the false doorframes formed in brick flanked by pilasters topped with an arch decorated with flames enclosing a concaved pediment relief. Also, on the doorframe of the central tower, an outline of a female deity, that was undoubtedly added at a much later time than that of the temple. Inside the central tower contemporary diety who illuminates in a red glow around midday when the sun shines down the opening of the tower onto the red umbrella above.

Decorated sandstone remnants can be seen including fragments of a sandstone lintel, decorated pilasters, and some sandstone plinths with an outline of a reclining Bodhisvatta undoubtedly from a time much later than that of the temple.

Located 200 m to the north is Trapeang Prasat Toch and to the west is Trapeang Prasat Pagoda.

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..