Prasat Baphuon ប្រាសាទបាពួន
This massive 5 tier sandstone pyramid, lying slightly northwest of Prasat Bayon is one of the most impressive Angkorian temple sites.
Although considered the royal temple of King Udayadityavarman II it is possible tha…
Prasat Baphuon ប្រាសាទបាពួន
This massive 5 tier sandstone pyramid, lying slightly northwest of Prasat Bayon is one of the most impressive Angkorian temple sites.
Although considered the royal temple of King Udayadityavarman II it is possible that work may have been initiated by his predecessor Suryavarman I. Jayavarman VI (late 11th) is said to have remodelled the upper shrines and the long, raised eastern causeway is sometimes credited to Jayavarman VII. The huge weight of this sandstone temple, approximately 100m x 120m square and around 50m high, constructed on sandy soil, made it unstable and it appears that collapse began at an early date.
Reconstruction work in the 15th century lead to the infamous 70m reclining Buddha image on the western facade and the temple's conversion to Buddhism.
By the 20th century much of the structure had entirely collapsed. Faced with such a scene of devastation a group of French archeologists decided a complete dismantling and rebuilding was necessary.
In 1960 some 300,000 blocks were removed, laid on the ground and carefully numbered for later rebuilding. Due to the intensification of conflict in the area the archeologists had to flee for their lives and their carefully drawn plans were lost.
When work restarted in 1996 the EFEO was faced with the near impossible task of putting all of these pieces back together Completion and the reopening of the site in 2011 was a minor miracle.
An eastern gopura forms an extension of the Terrace of the Elephants beyond which a 200m raised causeway with a small 2nd gopura at the halfway point. This leads to a 3rd gopura in the inner enclosure wall at the foot of the pyramid.
This temple is a historically and architecturally fascinating site as well as a highly picturesque one.
Enjoy the video!
If you would like to support the channel through unique items only found here visit my store
https://youtube.com/channel/UC7Nk0oxkpoyOXvZ-BESD6-g/store
You can also see my videos on..
