Preah Reach Veang
| Native Name | ព្រះរាជវាំង អង្គរធំ |
|---|---|
| Alternative name | Royal Enclosure, Royal Palace, Angkor Thom Royal Palace |
| BA# | C1710148 |
| CISARK# | 374 |
| IK# | 476.01 |
| K Inscription | K.292, K.1035 |
| Inscr. Location | In situ |
| Size | Medium |
| Condition | Ruin |
| Type | Palace Enclosure |
| Location | |
| Part of | Preah Reach Veang, Angkor Thom Royal Citadel, Yasodharapura III, Angkor Thom, Angkor |
| Commune | Kok Chak |
| District | Krong Siem Reap |
| Province | Siem Reap |
| Country | Cambodia |
| Coordinates | 13.44559, 103.85552 |
| History | |
| Founded | 11th-16th Century |
| Builder | Suryavarman I, Jayavarman VII, Jayavarman VIII |
| Art Style | Bayon |
| Material | Laterite, Sandstone |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Deity | Lokeshvara |
| UNESCO Inscription | 1992 |
Preah Reach Veang (ព្រះរាជវាំង - Pronounced P'rah Reach-vahng)
Is a sprawling (c.250 x 600m) complex situated in the northwest quadrant of Angkor Thom city. The palace was probably originally constructed by Suryavarman I in the early 10th-century and served as the royal residence through the Suryavarman II and Jayavarman VII periods until the abandonment of Angkor as a capital in the 14th-century. Today, a collection of disparate structures remains - added during various reigns - with the confusing nature of the site exaggerated due to most of the principal buildings having been built from wood and therefore no longer visible.
A 5m high laterite enclosing wall, some 250m, north-south and 600m east-west, probably dates to the Suryavarman I era although the southern wall was subsequently merged with the northern, outer enclosing wall of Prasat Baphuon while the eastern wall blends with the Terrace of the Elephants. The central staircase and platform of the latter provide the eastern entrance to the palace while 5 gopuras - 2 on the south Preah Reach Veang Khloung Thvier Khang Tboung I, Preah Reach Veang Khloung Thvier Khang Tboung II, 2 on the north Preah Reach Veang Khloung Thvier Khang Cheung I, Preah Reach Veang Khloung Thvier Khang Cheung II and, the main one on the east wall Preah Reach Veang Khloung Thvier Khang Kaeut - can be seen. The wall was originally encircled by a moat - the course of which can be seen on the south side and which, again, may have earlier served as a moat for Baphuon.
Prasat Phimeanakas is situated very slightly off-centre in the palace enclosure while 4 ornamental or bathing pools were dug in the northern section of the enclosure. Reliefs can be seen on the sandstone, stepped embankments although only the eastern-most 2 retain water today. The best carvings are to be found along the east and south retaining walls of the large pool. (The large pool is commonly known as Srah Srei (women's pool.) and the smaller Srah Bros (man's pool). The former include devatas, demons and garudas as well as various aquatic creatures - real and mythical. There is another small pond located in the northwest corner Srah which sits east of a laterite terrace Preah Reach Veang West Terrace.
Located in the southeast corner are the remains of a few additional structures including, a sandstone temple Prasat Preah Reach Veang, the ruins of four structures aligned north-south Prasat Preah Reach Veang II and a terrace which appears to likely date to the 16th century Preah Reach Veang East Terrace.
The entire complex aligns eastwards with the Victory Gate and westwards with the large reservoir Trapeang Daun Meas. The wooded site is picturesque and the pool reliefs well worth a visit.
Map Location
Image Gallery
Sra Srei
Southwest gopura to Baphuon
Garuda head
Devata image from the large pool
Bas reliefs
Reachisey a mythical water monster
At the National Museum of Cambodia
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Historic Archive
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