Prasat Suor Prat N5

From Beyond Angkor
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Prasat Suor Prat N5
Native Nameប្រាសាទសួព្រ័ត
Alternative namePrasat Suor Proat, Prasat Neang Dop Pi, Prasat Neang 12, Prasat Suor Prot
BA#C1710369
CISARK#1150
IK#480.04
SizeSmall
ConditionIntact
TypeTemple
Location
Part ofPrasat Suor Prat, Yasodharapura III, Angkor Thom, Angkor
CommuneNokor Thom
DistrictSiem Reap Municipality
ProvinceSiem Reap
CountryCambodia
Coordinates13.44736, 103.86064
History
Founded11th-13th Century
BuilderSuryavarman I (?), Jayabarman VII (?), Indravarman II (?)
Art StyleKhleang, Bayon, Post Bayon
MaterialLaterite, Sandstone
ReligionHinduism
DeityShiva
Year/s Restored1955-58
UNESCO Inscription1992



Prasat Suor Prat N5 1.jpg
3.00
(one vote)


Site Size & Condition: Small Prasat Prasat Suor Prat N5 (ប្រាសាទសួព្រ័ត - Pronounced: Pra-saht Suor Proht)

We have listed the individual towers separately in this case for Prasat Suor Prat, so this is one of the 12 separate towers aligned north-south on the east side of the central plaza area of Angkor Thom across from the Terrace of the Elephants.

These laterite and sandstone towers are some of Angkor's most baffling monuments - both in terms of purpose and date. Some historians have suggested a Jayavarman VII construction, although the reliefs, (most badly eroded) seem to point to an early 11th-century, Khleang style. Numerous theories as to their original purpose have been put forward including; viewing towers for visiting dignitaries, acrobatic tightrope displays, or prisons for settling disputes (Zhou Daguan). All sound somewhat far-fetched. 12 is rather dubiously said to correspond with the number of provinces at the time, so a tower for each provincial governor, while the colloquial Khmer name reflects the tight-rope walking idea. As Zhou Dagan is the only eye-witness, however, his report deserves some credence.

Whatever their purpose, with a background of mature trees and grassy foreground the towers are an attractive sight. All towers are similar in design, set on small square platforms with entrances and small porches opening west onto the plaza and windows on the other 3 sides. They are 3-tiered although the lack of any windows on the upper levels wouldn't make for very good viewing towers. Sandstone pediments feature heraldic designs although otherwise, decoration is minimal.


Map Location


Image Gallery

If you would like to upload additional images to the gallery, please refer to the Upload Instructions guide

Historic Archive

A collection of historic photographs, artist sketches, maps etc. (Please ensure that anything you do upload is free of copyright and/or you have permission from the original photographer/artist/author to share)

Nearby Sites

External Links

Links to additional resources such as articles, websites, videos etc.

References


Comments

Loading comments...