The Architecture of Khmer Temples

Know the main Architecture trends in the Angkor Site, and understand what is a Temple Mountain

The Angkor Site on essentials

Know Priority temples, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, Elephant and Leper King Terraces, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Srey, and Pre Rup, Banteay Samre, Banteay Kdei

How to arrange your visit

Consult the whole list of temples from Angkor and from Roluos classified according to location and style

How to come to Siem Reap and how to visit temples

Khmer art style

Preah Ko Style (875-895)

Temples with the same style : Temples from Roluos (the first capital of the pre-Angkor Khmer Empire, located 12km Southeast of Siem Reap), Preah Ko (Prasat), Bakong, Lolei
Religion : Hinduism
Sculpture : First appearance of coarse sandstone bas-reliefs
Architecture : Mainly brick is used, but first appearance of a sandstone temple-mountain with Bakong

Koh Ker Style (925-945)

Temples with the same style : Koh Ker (100 km from Siem Reap), Kravan (Prasat)
Religion : Hinduism
Sculpture : Bigger and on a large scale, which conveys a sense of power
Architecture : Appearance of galleries in temples-mountain

	Bakheng Style (895-925) Temples with the same style : Phnom Bakheng (is the first capital of the Angkor Khmer Empire), East Mebon , Baksei Chamkrong, Bei (Prasat), Kravan (Prasat), Phnom Bok (Prasat)
Religion : Hinduism Sculpture : Geometrical forms, fixed and severe poses Architecture : Generalization of sandstone and temple-mountain style

	Pre Rup Style(945-967) Temples with the same style : Pre Rup (Prasat), Bat Chum (Prasat) Religion : Hinduism, Buddhism Sculpture : Still simple decoration
Architecture : Appearance of Buddhist temples

Banteay Srey Style (967-1000)

Temples with the same style : Banteay Srey
Religion : Hinduism
Sculpture : Incomparable mastery of art built by dignitary (and not by the king), fluider and more delicate decorations
Architecture : Use of red sandstone

Khleang Style (965-1010)

Temples with the same style : Kleangs (Prasat), Ta Keo, Phimeanakas
Religion : Hinduism, Buddhism
Sculpture : Simplification of the Banteay Srey style

	Baphuon Style (1010-1080) Temples with the same style : Baphuon (temple with works in progress, reopening at the end of 2009), West Mebon Religion : Hinduism, Buddhism
Sculpture : The main characteristics are harmony, fluidity and elegance in the expression of the faces, abundance of ornamentations

Angkor Wat Style (1100-1175)

Temples with the same style : Angkor Wat, Banteay Samre, Thommanon, Preah Pithu, Chau Say Tevoda, Beng Meala (1000 Lingas Valley), Wat Athvea (Prasat)
Religion : Hinduism
Sculpture : Style returns to a frontal and rigid posture, but with more refinement
Architecture : The classical Khmer style is at its apogee

Bayon Style (1175-1230)

Temples with the same style : Banteay Kdei, Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom (Bayon, Elephant and Leper King Terraces, Prasat Top, Preah Paliley, Suor Prasat Towers), Neak Pean, Ta Nei (Prasat), Ta Som (Prasat), Preah Khan, Banteay Chhmar, Chapel Hospitals, Prei (Prasat), Ta Prohm Kel, Banteay Prei (Prasat), Krol Ko (Prasat), Sra Srang
Religion : Buddhism
Sculpture : Diversification of iconography, more symbolic, and more realistic scenes are depicted (everyday life scenes)
Architecture : Appearance of carved towers with smiling faces, and more and more sophisticated architectural elements

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