Angkor Wat is a temple complex built between 1113 and 1150. It is the largest religious monument in the world. It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple for the Khmer Empire by King Suryavarman II. It was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple toward the end of the 12th century. It has become a national symbol for Cambodia and is a major tourist draw boosting the local economy of Siem Reap.
Angkor Wat is a large pyramid temple and the entire complex is surrounded by a moat 570 feet wide. The moat serves to keep a constant water level under the structures during the rainy and dry seasons helping to stabilize the foundations. It was never totally abandoned but was not used extensively from the 16th century. In the mid19th century, the temple was visited by the French naturalist and explorer, Henri Mouhot. The site began getting some serious interest after he published his travel notes in which he wrote:
"One of these temples - a rival to that of Solomon, and erected by some ancient Michelangelo - might take an honorable place beside our most beautiful buildings. It is grander than anything left to us by Greece or Rome ....."
It has long been on my list of places to see and I can hardly believe that I made it. So, I hope you enjoy the pictures but they in no way can convey the total beauty and feelings I experienced walking among these ancient masterpieces.
There were exquisite carving all along the wall of the corridors that wrap around the complex telling of the history of the people.
I had to stand in line for about 25 minutes to get a pass to go up to the third level which gave me an excellent view of the complex.
Whew!!! What an experience!
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