Banteay Prei Tample

Banteay Prei
"The forest citadel"
Date late 12th - early 13th century
King Jayavarman VII (posthumous name: Maha paramasangata pada)
Cult Buddhist
Clearing H. Mauger in 1934

One hundred and fifty meters north of Prasat Prei, an opening in what is left of the outside laterite fenced in area mass of Banteay Prei offers access to the remaining parts of a porch, circumscribed by naga-balustrades, crossing a channel.

A little and low sandstone gopura, secured in an intersection of vaults, introduces every one of the attributes of the Bayon style. It partitions the laterite mass of the 75 by 65 meter second walled in area toward the east. Further on, a 30 by 25 meter sandstone exhibition encompasses the inside court. Its four gopuras - still in the same style - structure towers with a solitary upper level and a delegated theme. They are flanked by optional entryways, while the corners are stamped by little low structures. The display vault has a short compass and is especially shallow. The dividers, regarding adornment, are limited.

Just 50% of the focal haven superstructure, with its four upper levels, stays standing. Cruciform in arrangement it has four vestibules which are expanded in width remotely by the vicinity of false half-vaults to either side. The cruciform haven chamber is 1m.90 crosswise over at its inside and open to the four cardinal focuses. The frontons have been ruined and the false windows here have balusters without blinds.

In the south-west quarter of the patio stands one of the detached standing columns with a main tenon, for example, one finds in many sanctuaries of this period. In the south-east corner, where the "library" would typically be discovered, a little rectangular pit has been uncovered and lined with laterite. Its capacity remains a riddle.