Constructed: Late 12th - Early 13th Century
Religion: Buddhism
King/Patron: Jayavarman
Style : Bayon
Angkor Thom is a very popular
tourist spot. It was established in the late twelfth century to early
thirteenth century by King Jayavarman VII. This site is situated 1.7 Km north
of Angkor Wat, within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as
well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors.
The fortified city of Angkor
Thom, some 9sq km in extent, was the last and most enduring capital city of the
Khmer empire built by Angkor’s greatest King, Jayavarman VII (ruled
1181-1201).
Centered on Baphuon, Angkor
Thom is enclosed by a square wall 8m high and 12km in length and encircled by
moat 100m wide. The city has five monumental gates, one each in the north, west
and south walls and two in the east wall. In front of each gate stand giant
statues of 54 gods (to the left of the causeway) and 54 demons (to the right of
the causeway), a motif taken from the story of the Churning of the Ocean of
Milk illustrated in the famous bas-relief at Angkor Wat. In the center of the
walled enclosure are the city’s most important monuments, including the Bayon,
the Baphuon, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas and the Terrace of Elephants.