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 The
Ancestor Som
Prasat Ta Som
located in the east of Nean
Pean. Entry and exit to Ta
Som can only be access from
east entrance. It was built
in the end of the 12th
century dedicated to the
father of the king
(Buddhist), replica to Bayon
style of art.
Background
Ta Som has not been
restored. It is a small
quiet temple and affords a
delightful visit. In the
past one of the significant
features of Ta Som was the
growth of fig trees the
faces at the entrance
towers. These have been cut
from the east tower but they
are still visible at the
west one.
Layout
Ta Som is a single tower
monument on one level
surrounded by three
enclosing walls with entry
on the east and west carved
with four faces, the face on
the right of the east tower
(1) (facing the temple) has
a beautiful smile. The entry
towers are in the shape of a
cross with a small room on
each side connecting to a
laterite wall.
Walk through the first entry
tower over a causeway, which
crosses a moat and is
bordered with serpents and
large Garudas. The wall of
the second enclosure is in
laterite (2) with a
sandstone entry tower in the
shape of a cross on the east
and west sides (3). The
entry towers have windows
with balusters on the
exterior and proceeded by a
porch with pillars.
The next
enclosure comprises a
laterite and sandstone
gallery with corner
pavilions (4), which have
molded false doors. Amongst
the crumbled heaps of stones
in the courtyard are two
libraries (5) opening to the
west.
Central
Sanctuary
The main tower (6) is in the
shape of a cross with four
porches. To see the Central
Sanctuary, courtyard and
libraries, climb through the
opening on the north side.
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