Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the largest religious complex and has a long history intertwined with not only the rise but also the fall of the Khmer Empire. It took hundreds of thousands of workers to build the temple and carve an immeasurable number of figures into the walls. However, in the 15th century, it was mostly abandoned. For additional facts about the temple, check out our list of facts.
UNESCO
The entire city of Angkor is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That includes the temples, and since 1992, efforts have been made to protect and preserve them for future generations. Over 3 million tourists visit the site every year, making it one of the most popular destinations in Cambodia. It has also appeared on their flag since the mid-1800s in some form.
Abandoned
Historians don’t know for sure the reason for the decline of the Khmer Empire. It could have been a variety of things, including climate change, conflicts, or the numerous attacks from Thai forces. After these attacks, trade routes were severed, farmland was destroyed, and people did flee. Over time, the city was abandoned and reclaimed by the jungle, but Angkor Wat remained an important site that was carefully tended to by the monks.
1,000 Buildings
The temple complex is enormous, spanning over 400 acres of land, and comprises more than 1,000 buildings. It’s also got pathways, water systems, and was part of one of the most successful empires. Researchers have suggested that, due to the numerous stones and buildings, it has more than the pyramids of Egypt combined.
Stories
One of the most interesting aspects of this temple for some is the stone carvings. The carvings cover more than 1,200 square meters and feature over 2,000 different figures, none of which are alike. The sculptures depict epics like the Ramayana, and visitors can follow the legends through the temple.
Protection
The temple was built as a Hindu temple, and in the late 1100s, the city was sacked. Because he blamed the gods for his misfortune, he converted to Buddhism, and the temple became Buddhist instead, though there are still remnants of the Hindu temple preserved as a sign of respect. There has been much speculation about the construction.
Elephants
Because the temple symbolized power and influence, it needed to be large and elaborate. It took over 300,000 workers and more than 5,000 elephants to construct the massive temple. The stones had to travel over 30 miles on rafts down the river to reach the workers, and it took three decades to build. However, it was never fully finished.
Found Again
In the late 1800s, a French naturalist published his accounts of Cambodia and his travels there. He claimed to have found the lost city of Angkor. Europeans were absolutely fascinated by his accounts, but historians have argued that Angkor didn’t need rediscovering as it was never lost to the Cambodians. It was also believed that missionaries had visited before, proving it wasn’t lost.
West Facing
The temple is oriented to the West, which is a change because most temples of the time faced East. Historians have debated the significance of this orientation for years, noting that the figures also follow a counterclockwise direction, which wasn’t the norm in Hindu temples. This temple did the opposite.
The Sun
Angkor Wat appears to follow the pattern of other ancient temples in that it seems the sun rises over the central tower of the temple. This occurs during the spring equinox, providing a breathtaking sight. The architects demonstrated a great understanding of advanced skills and astronomy, as evidenced by the temple.
A Stunning Site
The temple is not only a great architectural wonder, but it’s also an important part of Cambodian culture and a significant part of the country’s history. The structure and work behind it are stunning, and people flock by the thousands to come and see this temple from all around the world to appreciate its beauty.
