Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Tuesday, October 23 2007 @ 10:32 AM | Contributed by: Oliver | Views: 892
 | Angkor Wat is the most impressive building in Cambodia, it appears on its national flag, and a UNESCO world heritage site. The site today is the center of many efforts of restaurantion by international teams such as Japan and the EU. It is a must-see point of visit when coming to Cambodia. The impressive towers still make you gasp despite their poor condition and the omnipresence of todays skyscrapers. Knowing that this monument is about 1000 years old and build without any cement or similar binding material is making you understand how we can fly to the moon today if people were able to build such things 1000 years ago. |
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| The whole temple is surrounded by a large gallery which features huge and very detailed carvings and reliefs. Through gates you can get from the galleries into the center courtyard, from which again you can climb stairs to the main building to another courtyard, from there reaching the 3rd level over stairs which were closed at the time of my visit. | ||
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| The overall structure is quite well preserved and all rooms seem to be accessible. However, the outside details and ornaments on the towers and walls are damaged, but still well preserved in some places, so you get a picture of what it must have looked like. | ||
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| From the 1st terrace you can see the side-gates of the complex, still having preserved the ornaments above the doors opposing each other. | ||
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| The outer walls are quite massive, and must bear quite a weight considering the height of each terrace. The sight of this building must have been like a miracle to the people 1000 years ago. | ||
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| The outer gates of the complex are quite far away from the center, and while the access from the east is cleared and lined by two smaller buildings and two lakes, the west gate is just a couple of meters away from the forest. So most people come in at the east and leave to the west. | ||
Please see also these articles about Angkor Temples:
Angkor Wat | Sunrise at Angkor Wat | Reliefs of Angkor Wat
Banteay Srei Temple | Preah Palilay Temple | Bayon Temple | Ta Phrom Temple
These are more articles from Cambodia:
Khmer Dance | Floating Village | Royal Palace | On the road | Hotel de la Paix
Angkor Wat | Sunrise at Angkor Wat | Reliefs of Angkor Wat
Banteay Srei Temple | Preah Palilay Temple | Bayon Temple | Ta Phrom Temple
These are more articles from Cambodia:
Khmer Dance | Floating Village | Royal Palace | On the road | Hotel de la Paix
