West Baray

The Western Baray (Khmer: បារាយណ៍ ទឹក ថ្លា ) is a baray, so a water reservoir from the Angkorian Cambodia.

The West Baray is located just outside the city walls of Angkor Thom and is oriented west- east. The I. under the reign of Suryavarman begun construction was finished by his successor. Its ground plan is rectangular and is measured to 2.1 kilometers by 8 kilometers; it therefore represents the largest baray at Angkor. The water is held by formed of earth dikes. In the center of the baray is on a small artificial island, the completed of Udayadityavarman II to 1066 Western Mebon. The builders of the Western Baray appear to have included former buildings with. The eastern part of the dyke probably belonged mostly to the dike system, which had protected the city back to the time of King Yasovarman. In the southern part of a stone pyramid temple was flooded, while there is an old settlement in the western part, which also went down in the water as a result of the dikes. On a stele dating from 713 print various rice fields that were the Queen Jayadevi is about as victims.

In recent times, a lock in the Süddeich of the Western Baray was built for the purpose of water regulation. Today, its western half leads all year round water; during the rainy season and the eastern half is then filled. Due to the clear, calm waters of the Baray is a popular destination for swimmers and rowers.

In the southwest of the Western Baray is the area of Banteay Choeu, one of the oldest angkorischen constructions. Through the southern dike installation of Prasat Ak Yum was partially flooded.