|
Phnom Krom
"The mountain below"
Prasat Phnom Krom is approximately
12 kilometers (7 .4 miles) southwest
of Siem Reap near the north end of
the Tonle Sap Lake. It is located on
a mountain 137 meters (449 feet)
highs. Climb the steep stairs and
curved curved path through a modern
temple complex at the top of the
hill. The walk affords a fine view
of the lake and surrounding area.
It was built in the end of the ninth
century beginning of the tenth
century dedicated to the Hindu
Trinity- Siva, Visnu and Brahma,
with following to Prasat Bakheng art
style.
Background
Yasovarman I built a temple on each
of the three hills dominating the
plain of Angkor Bakheng, Phnom Krom
and Phnom Bok. The temple of Phnom
Krom is visible from the airplane as
one fly into Siem Reap.
Layout
Phnom Krom is a square plan and
consists of three towers in a row
(1) situated dramatically on a
hilltop. They were dedicated to
Siva, Visnu and Brahma respectively.
The upper portions of the towers
have collapsed and the facades are
very degraded but otherwise they
remain intact. The towers are
enclosed by a literate wall (2)
intersected on each side by an entry
tower in the shape of a cross (3).
Three long halls built of laterite
(only the bases of which remain)
parallel the wall around the
courtyard (4). They probably served
as rest houses. Four small building
inside the courtyard preceded the
sanctuaries (5). They are similar
except that the two at either end
are brick and the two in the middle
are sandstone. All four have a
series of holes in the walls, which
suggests they may have been used as
crematoriums.
Central Towers
The three central towers stand on a
north south axis on a low
rectangular platform with molding
constructed of sandstone paving over
a laterite base (6). Two sides of
the base are intercepted by three
stairways with lions on the
landings. The towers are square and
originally had four recessed tiers
on the upper portion. they open to
the east and west with false doors
on the north south. Traces of
decoration remain around the base of
the platform near the stairs, on the
pilasters, the panels of the false
doors, the cornices and on niches in
the corners. The upper terrace
affords a panoramic view of the
Great Lake and the surrounding
plain. |
