Ancient bridges of the Khmer Empire – an often forgotten feature of ancient Cambodia is the amazing stone bridges that were built during the height of the Angkor era. Part of the “Royal Road” network that ran from Angkor to Koh Ker and Wat Phu, Prasat Andet, Sambor Prei Kuk, Ta Muan and Phimai, and Phnom Srok and Sdok Kak Thom (note: still a growing list). Reference – Bruguier 2000, Hendrickson 2010.
An ancient laterite bridge that is slowly becoming surrounded by new developments. A new channel that diverts around the ancient bridge has almost turned the site into an island. The “island” is heavily overgrown and not cleared for visiting (2021) make it through the scrub and some of the arches can still be seen from … Read more
On looking for this bridge we came across a collection of laterite blocks that may or may not have been from the bridge. Speaking to an older local of the area, he remembers the bridge as having collapsed with some of its remnants having been taken away.
Laterite bridge recorded as measuring 30 meters long and 6 meters wide, as at 06/21, it is heavily overgrown but a path does cut through the shrub to where a section of the bridge appears to have collapsed.
Ancient laterite bridge with remnants of the sandstone naga balustrade still seen. The local trail diverts south around the bridge currently (late 2021). It uses post and lintel construction and is in very good condition. Oddly, there are large laterite blocks scattered about 15 m to the southwest.
Laterite bridge measuring 15 meters long and 8 meters wide according to Cisark, what can be seen appears as 2-3 m wide and 10 m or so long but it is overgrown and possibly partly buried.
A laterite bridge (not in use) with 11 arches measuring approximately 30 m long, 10 m wide, and 2.5 m high. Located along the ancient Royal Road and just within the grounds of Phokeethra Country Club.
A laterite bridge that is around 9m wide with remains extending lengthwise for around 26m, while there are scant remains, it may have been originally around 45-50m long. It runs north-south and crossed the old Siem Reap river. It would not seem necessarily related to the ancient road network of the empire and with the … Read more
An ancient laterite bridge that is recorded as 89 m long. The bridge is still in use today by local traffic and has even been sealed over in bitumen while water no longer passes underneath with its arches completely buried. At the eastern end, a laterite naga end-piece still stands.
Laterite bridge (not in use). It’s located 1100m east-northeast of Wat Preah Bat Buon Than and around 150m north of the present-day road.
Also recorded as Spean Memay measuring 35 meters long and 9 meters wide. There are several bridges sharing the name “khmeng” and “memay”, see more of the ancient road network and bridges here and here. Today, the trail to the site leads around its eastern side whilst a full view of the bridge can be had from its … Read more
Located just east of Beng Mealea, it’s a small ancient bridge that is still in use today and, quite amazingly, holding up to today’s heavy vehicles. It has been sealed over with bitumen and goes completely unnoticed apart from the locals who live on either side. It’s quite small, only around 13-15 m long and … Read more
Small laterite bridge, still in use, with 8 arches and recorded as measuring 35 meters long and 7 meters wide. Like most of the ancient bridges on this section of the ancient road, it featured a naga balustrade and here one of the naga end pieces is still in situ with what appears to be … Read more
Laterite bridge measuring around 9m wide and 25m long located in Banteay Meanchey province a little over 3km east of Phnom Srok. It is well preserved and used today only by local residents with the main traffic diverting around with a new bridge to the east.
Very small laterite bridge located northeast of Wat Svay Leu. It features corbelled arches. By eye, it is around 4-5 m wide and 6 m or so long with three visible arches. Across the top, it has deep ruts that one assumes are from usage in recent times. It also has sandstone plinths that are … Read more
A small laterite bridge that is in amazing condition, recorded as measuring 26 m long and 7 m wide and 3.2 m high. The balustrades are broken but the bridge itself has fine structure and arches.
Remains of a small laterite bridge located along the ancient road that led out of Angkor to Phnom Srok (and beyond to Sdok Kak Thom). See a larger map of the ancient road network and bridges here and here.
Also known as Spean Thma and Spean Memai. An ancient laterite bridge composed of 21 arches and measuring 79 meters long and 9 meters wide. Once part of the ancient Royal Road that led to Phnom Srok and Sdok Kak Thhom. It’s located near the northwest corner of the West Baray, use Google satellite imagery … Read more
Heavily overgrown laterite bridge (06/21) reported as being 23 m long and 5 m wide. Through the shrub and trees, you can just sneak a peek of the laterite forming the ancient bridge which was a feature along the ancient Royal Road from Angkor to Phimai. There is a smaller bridge to the south, and … Read more
The location of a laterite bridge that was recorded by Lunet Lajonquire in the 1900s which hopefully still exists underneath the successive road upgrades. It was recorded as being 28 m long and 9 m wide. See a larger map of the ancient road network and bridges here and here. Note there are several bridges named “Memay” see here for … Read more
Laterite bridge featuring 15 arches and recorded as measuring 92 m long and 9.5 m wide. It is located less than two hundred meters south of the much larger Spean Toap and the two are connected in some way by a linear line of laterite blocks between the two bridges that are seen on the … Read more
Located along the ancient road that led out of Angkor to Phnom Srok (and beyond), Spean Memay of Yeang Commune is a laterite bridge recorded as measuring 45 meters long and 9 meters wide. Note there are several bridges named “Memay” see here for others and a larger map of the ancient road network and bridges … Read more
Partially buried remains of a laterite bridge with 16 arches. It is/was 45 m long, 10 m wide and 3.5 m high.
Remains of a small ancient laterite bridge located on the western side of the Preah Khan (of Kampong Svay) temple complex. Parts of the sandstone naga railing can still be seen.
An ancient laterite bridge measuring around 20+ m long and located on the ancient road just north of Prasat Seman Teng.
A small ancient laterite bridge that is no longer in use with the present-day road diverting slightly to the south. Note the beautiful arches. Recorded as being 10 m long and 5.5 m wide and 2.6 m high.
Laterite bridge that is reported to measure 33 m long, 8.2 m wide and 3.2 m high. At the time of visiting, 06/21, it was a little overgrown.
