Banteay Samre temple

A week in Cambodia -11/18/2023-11/24/2023

Day 1- Phnom Penh
Choeung Ek Genocidal Center
Tuol Slen Museum
City Tour
Wat Phnom
Phnom Penh at night

Day 2- Phnom Penh
Cycling around the Mekong Island
Koh Ohnha Tey Island

Day 3- Phnom Penh
Royal Palace
Sunset Cruise
Dinner at Bistro Romano

Day 5- Siem Reap
Pre Rup Temple
Ta Som Temple
Neak Poan Temple
Preah Khan temple
Preah Khan cont.
Bantei Srei temple
Banteay Samre temple

Day 6- Siem Reap
Sunrise at Agnkor Wat
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat Cont.
Ta Prohm (tomb raider)
Ta Prohm Cont.
Victory Gate
Angkor Thom
Bayon Temple

Day 7- Siem Reap
Angkor National Musem

Siam Reap-11/22/2023

Day 5- Banteay Samre Temple

Banteay Samre temple was built during the reign of Suryavarman II and completed by King Yasovarman II in the early 12th century. Banteay Samre is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat style located outside the main temple circuits and it is often overlooked. The temple is in a fairly healthy state of preservation due to some extensive renovation work, although its isolation has resulted in some looting during the past few decades.

The name Samre refers to an ethnic group of mountain people, who inhabited the regions at the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the Khmers. No inscription has been found for this temple, but the style of most of the architecture is of the classic art of the middle period similar to Angkor Wat. The monument most likely dates from the same period, or, perhaps, slightly later, although there are additions attributed to the Bayon style.

The area consists of a central temple with four wings, preceded by a hall and also accompanied by two libraries, the southern one is remarkably well preserved.

Entering the temple via the North Entrance.

The whole ensemble is enclosed by two large concentric walls around what would have been the unique feature of an inner moat, now dry.

Banteay Samre is large, comparatively flat temple displaying distinctively Angkor Wat-style architecture and artistry. The temple underwent extensive restoration this century by archaeologists using the anastomosis method.

Facade of the north gopura of the 2nd enclosure. The outer tower is made with laterite with a warm reddish tone.

On the left is a pile of balusters for windows decoration and on the right is a block with broken feet sculpture.

Window with balusters.

Entering the courtyard.

Entrance to the Central shrine.

All the gates are decorated with intricate reliefs and the pediments and they are in excellent conditions.

The inner court and its edifices are completely built in sandstone which is of a grey color.

The central sanctuary is closely surrounded by two enclosures with richly decorated gopuras, and the reliefs are of varying types as you move in towards the center.

Banteay Samre is known for exquisite carvings of Hindu deities, celestial dancers, and mythical creatures adorning its entrance towers, libraries, pillars, and vestibules. The temple’s layout follows a quintessential Khmer blueprint, starting with an outer moat and enclosure, leading to a central shrine sanctuary.

Gopura in the central sanctuary

The central sanctuary and mandapa are on a high platform surrounded by the walls and naga balustrades of the first enclosure.

Naga balustrades

From 1936 to 1944 under the supervision of the French architect and archeologist for the conservation of Angkor, extensive rennovation were under way.