Terrace of the Leper King

The Terrace of the Leper King is located near the town of Siem Reap (Cambodia ) on the north -south road through Angkor Thom, specifically on the Grand Place to the north of the Terrace of the Elephants. With its numerous well-preserved reliefs the Terrace of the Leper King is one of the most beautiful Khmer art works.

Who let this terrace built is unclear. Are mentioned in particular King Jayavarman VII at the end of his reign ( 1220 ) and King Jayavarman VIII (about 1243-1295 ).

The name derives from the terrace of a present on her statue, an alleged representation of the king Yasovarman I. ( 899-910 ), who built the first city at Angkor, contracted leprosy and died, and was popularly leprosy king.

Probably, however, the statue is no king, but Yama, the Hindu god of death. On the terrace, possibly ritual burning of corpses of the royal family and high dignitaries were held. The original statue is now in the National Museum of Phnom Penh - on the terrace is only a replica.