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The sacred sword "
Prasat Phnom Krom is
approximately 12 kilometers
(7 .4 miles) southwest of
Siem Reap near the north end
of the Tonle Sap Lake. It is
located on a mountain 137
meters (449 feet) highs.
Climb the steep stairs and
curved curved path through a
modern temple complex at the
top of the hill. The walk
affords a fine view of the
lake and surrounding area.
It was built in the end of
the ninth century beginning
of the tenth century
dedicated to the Hindu
Trinity- Siva, Visnu and
Brahma, with following to
Prasat Bakheng art style.
Background
Yasovarman I built a temple
on each of the three hills
dominating the plain of
Angkor Bakheng, Phnom Krom
and Phnom Bok. The temple of
Phnom Krom is visible from
the airplane as one fly into
Siem Reap.
Layout
Phnom Krom is
a square plan and consists
of three towers in a row (1)
situated dramatically on a
hilltop. They were dedicated
to Siva, Visnu and Brahma
respectively. The upper
portions of the towers have
collapsed and the facades
are very degraded but
otherwise they remain
intact. The towers are
enclosed by a literate wall
(2) intersected on each side
by an entry tower in the
shape of a cross (3). Three
long halls built of laterite
(only the bases of which
remain) parallel the wall
around the courtyard (4).
They probably served as rest
houses. Four small building
inside the courtyard
preceded the sanctuaries
(5). They are similar except
that the two at either end
are brick and the two in the
middle are sandstone. All
four have a series of holes
in the walls, which suggests
they may have been used as
crematoriums.
Central
Towers
The three central towers
stand on a north south axis
on a low rectangular
platform with molding
constructed of sandstone
paving over a laterite base
(6). Two sides of the base
are intercepted by three
stairways with lions on the
landings. The towers are
square and originally had
four recessed tiers on the
upper portion. they open to
the east and west with false
doors on the north south.
Traces of decoration remain
around the base of the
platform near the stairs, on
the pilasters, the panels of
the false doors, the
cornices and on niches in
the corners. The upper
terrace affords a panoramic
view of the Great Lake and
the surrounding plain.
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