Preah Khan
The Buddhist temple of Preah Khan ( "Sacred Sword" ), located in the Cambodian province of Siem Reap, is probably the relic of a provisional Angkor capital. The relatively well-preserved complex of the late 12th century is one of the richest and most important form flat temples of culture.
History
In 1181 succeeded the Khmer troops Cham strike back from the Angkorgebiet. The successful military leader ascended Jayavarman VII the throne and immediately began an ambitious building program: in particular, he was responsible for the Northern Baray or Baray of Preah Khan ( a 3500 to 900 m wide, now dry water tank), the ancestral temple of Ta Prohm ( in memory of his mother), the ancestral temple of Preah Khan ( in memory of his father ) and the new capital of Angkor Thom Bayon Temple with the State. Until the completion of Angkor Thom probably served the northwest location, almost adjacent Preah Khan as a provisional capital. Ancient sources suggest that here an important battle had taken place, had been killed in the course of which the king of Cham. A few years later, the area should have been home to several Buddhist monasteries and a Buddhist university with more than 1,000 teachers; in any event, Preah Khan was much more than a temple: a city of considerable size.
Middle of the 13th century, under King Jayarvaman VIII, the complex was temporarily hinduisiert, the Buddha statues and reliefs were destroyed or umgemeißelt. In the 20th century began a thorough restoration. However, this could only affect the stone buildings and ruins, because after nearly a millennium, the wooden buildings were as good as gone without a trace.
Plant
From the east a causeway leads closer to the fence of the city. Behind us lies the Northern Baray: the stepped terrace of the pier, the forested area of the former water reservoir and in the middle, almost 2 km away, the temple of Neak Pean Island. Before us lies the narrow side of the rectangular, measuring 750 to 900 m City plant. The outer enclosure has in each cardinal direction, a gatehouse ( gopura ) and is surrounded by a moat.
The path leads through the east gate and into the former city, today a largely free surface. After 200 m turn right into the recently renovated "House of Fire", one of 121 similar chapels was built along the main roads of the kingdom of Jayavarman VII. After another 200 meters we reach the next enclosure, 175 to 200 m, again with four gatehouses. Beyond, there are numerous preserved buildings, left and right of the path, for example, the "Hall of Dancers", north of it a remarkable, almost Greek -looking two-story portico: an imitation of typical Khmer timber houses in stone, probably a former rice storage.
Further follow two enclosing walls that are fairly close to each other: one measures 76 to 85, the other 55 to 62 m. Now enter as a cruciform in plan construction. Where to meet the four long, leading through numerous different sized doorways, but perusal granted corridors, is the central sanctuary, the so-called Prasat; since about the 16th century, it houses a small stupa. The arrangement of the dense to dense, arising partly later buildings in the four corners of the inner temple area, the so-called district courts, is confusing.
The road from here to the outer western gate is comparatively short time, the temple, the three inner perimeter and at the same time the outer North and South Gate are slightly shifted westward.
Architectural decoration
In addition to the umgemeißelten Buddha statues and reliefs already mentioned Preah Khan has a variety excellent crafted sandstone Works on: Nagabalustraden and lions at the pier, Riesenbalustraden at the east gate (see Angkor Thom ), 72 Garudareliefs all around on the outside of the city walls (every 50 m, depending 5 m high, at the corners even higher ), Apsarafriese in the Hall of dancers at the northern satellite temple a dormant Vishnu, at the north gate two large Dvarapala.