Million Faces

Angkor Archeological Site- 2

Angkor Thom (= great angkor or great city)

Constructed in late 12th-early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII as his capital city after recapturing the Angkorian capital from Cham invaders in 1181. The 3km2 walled and moated city was the last capital of the Angkorian empire. He began construction with 2 structures, the Baphuon and Phimeanakas and built a grand enclosed city around them.
There are 5 gated entrances to the city (cardinal directions plus Victory gate)- each gate is crowned with 4 giant faces 20m in height of Avalkiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.


At the center of the city is the Bayon, the state-temple, which stands as a symbolic link between heaven and earth. The Bayon epitomizes the creative genius and inflated ego of Jayavarman VII. It is a collection of 54 towers decorated with 216 enormous faces of Avalokiteshvara that bear more than a passing resemblance to the king himself.
(from afar it doesn't have quite the stunning visual effect that Angkor Wat did, but up close the details were amazing)

The towering faces are intended to glare down from every angle exuding power and control with a hint of humanity.

The Bayon has 3 levels- the first 2 are filled with extraordinary bas-reliefs depicting vivid scenes of the battle with the Chams-

as well as everyday life in 12th century Cambodia-

Many of the original structures of Angkor Thom were made of wood and are no longer standing, but remaining is the Terrace of the Elephants, a 300m long 2.5m tall terrace that stood in front of the Baphuon, Phimeanakas, and Royal Palace and was used as a viewing stand for public ceremonies and the king's audience hall. It is adorned with tiers of carvings- elephants, garudas, warriors, asparas,

and a 5-headed horse!

Angkor Thom is a site that I knew/heard very little about before coming here and ended up being one of my favorites- the only one I went back to again because I felt I had overlooked a few important details on my first visit that I didn't want to miss- the faces of the Bayon, the bas-reliefs of fishermen, market place and even dog-fighting, and the carvings of the Terrace of the Elephants were all amazing masterpieces.

Next stop on our archeological tour of the Angkorian empire- Ta Prohm.