Prasat Suor Prat ប្រាសាទសួព្រ័ត - 12 Identical Towers In Central Angkor Thom - Cambodia 2024

Prasat Suor Prat ប្រាសាទសួព្រ័ត is actually a group of 12 separate towers aligned north-south (2 of the central ones are slightly set back to the east) on the east side of the central plaza area of Angkor Thom across from the Terrace of the Elephants. (There are 6 on each side of the route leading from the Terrace to the Victory Gate - Angkor Thom Khloung Thvear Chey).

These laterite and sandstone towers are some of Angkor's most baffling monuments in terms of purpose and date of construction.

Some historians have suggested a Jayavarman VII construction, although the reliefs, (most badly eroded) seem to point to an early 11th-century, Khleang style.

Numerous theories as to their original purpose have been put forward including; viewing towers for visiting dignitaries, acrobatic tightrope displays, or prisons for settling disputes (felm the eye witness of Zhou Daguan).

All sound somewhat far fetched. The construction of twelve towers is said to correspond with the number of provinces at the time, so a tower for each provincial governor, while the colloquial Khmer name reflects the tight-rope walking idea. As Zhou Dagan is the only eye-witness, however, his report deserves some credibility.

Whatever their purpose, with a background of mature trees and grassy foreground the towers are an attractive sight. All towers are similar in design, set on small square platforms with entrances and small porches opening west onto the plaza and windows on the other 3 sides.

They are 3-tiered although the lack of any windows on the upper levels wouldn't make for very good viewing towers. Sandstone pediments feature heraldic designs although otherwise, decoration is minimal.

There are also 2 sandstone temples behind each group of 6 towers that are worth seeing while you explore this site. It’s also in the central part of the former capital with the former royal palace and important temples nearby. A really great place to visit.

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