ANGKOR TEMPLES IN CAMBODIA
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Prei Monti


Prasat Prei Monti (also spelt Prey Monti or Preimonti) is a group of three brick towers situated 2 km south of the temple-pyramid Bakong in Roluos. 300 m west of the Bakong there is a signboard indicating the correct route to Prei Monti to the south.

The three Prasats of Prei Monti are located in the east of a rectangular compound, which once was surrounded by a moat. In this respect it appears similar to the Preah Ko shrine of Roluos: a sanctuary close to the eastern edge of a much larger area. In both rectangles only traces of other constructions were unearthed. Both compounds seem to have been royal palaces, with a sanctuary built of non-perishable material at the entrance from the east. Remarkably the two santuaries of these two similar compounds are located on the same north-south axis, it runs parallel to another axis which without doubt is of highly symbolic significance, namely the north-south-line connecting the Bakong state temple and the Lolei shrine in the centre of Indravarman's vast reservoir called Indratataka. The more secular palace axis of Preah Ko and Prei Monti is only about a hundred metred further west.

Khmer palaces were built of perishable materials such as wood and bamboo, this is why nothing remains of them, but pieces of ceramics from the contemporary Chinese Tang dynastie were found in this area, typical luxury goods. Similar to Preah Ko, the temple sanctuary built of stone is located inside the palace enclosure, but close to its eastern edge.

Prei Monti is older than Preah Ko and the other two major monuments of the Roluos Group, Bakong and Lolei. Preah Ko was the palace and ancestor temple of Indravarman I who is the first king of the Angkor era, well-known from own epigraphical records and maybe the first ruler of more than a regional Khmer principality. He succeded Jayavarman III, who was childless. Sometimes Prasat Prei Monti is ascribed to this king, Jayavarman III, of whom not much is known. Others believe Prei Monti to be the first palace of Indravarman. However, Prei Monti is one of the first monuments from the dawning Angkor era.

Prasat Prei Monti's three brick towers are open to the east and share a single platform. They are more stocky and less elegant than those of the later Preah Ko. But as in the case of Preah Ko, the Prasats are made of brickstone, with sandstone doors from the east and blind doors at the three other sides. The central tower is almost completely collapsed, but its sandstone lintel can be studied on the ground slightly to the east. It is much less elaborate than the famous lintel carvings at Preah Ko, but it already marks a transition from a pre-Angkorian division of the panel by a line of medaillons to the more unified classical style of a bent garland.

All in all, there is not as much to see at Prasat Prei Monti as at the Preah Ko temple. But it is a silent place, where the rare visitor can explore the beginnings of Angkor architecture without disturbances.

The morning is a good time to visit Prei Monti. A ticket is not required at this remote small structure.

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Copyright © 2015 Hor Sopheak & Unique Asia Travel and Tours, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Texts and Photos by Ando Sundermann and Hor Sopheak, unless otherwise stated
with special thanks to contributers Günter Schönlein and Jochen Fellmer
  • Home
    • Welcome
    • Directory
    • Nepal Link
    • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Cambodia
    • Geography
    • Khmer History
  • Travel Info
    • Visa and Customs
    • Climate
    • Food
    • Shopping
  • Destinations
    • Phnom Penh
    • Siem Reap
    • Battambang
    • Sihanoukville
    • Kep
    • Tonle Sap
  • Temples
    • Cambodia jungle temples
    • Preah Khan
    • Ta Som
    • Phnom Kulen
    • Bang Melea
    • Koh Ker
    • Banteay Chhmar
    • Preah Vihear
    • Bakan
    • Sambor Prei Kuk
    • Tonle Bati
    • Phnom Chisor
    • Phnom Da
    • Phnom Banan
    • Prasat Sneung
  • Angkor
    • Angkor Wat
    • Angkor Thom >
      • Bayon
      • South Gate
      • North Gate
      • Victory Gate
      • East Gate
      • Prasat Chrung
      • Elephant Terrace
      • Leper King Terrace
      • Tep Pranam
      • Prasat Suor Prat
      • Preah Palilay
      • Vihear Prampil Loveng
      • Wat Preah Ngok
    • Yashodharapura >
      • Bakheng
      • Baksei Chamkrong
      • Bei Prasat
      • Baphuon
      • Phimeanakas
      • Royal Palace
      • Preah Pithu
      • North Khleang
      • South Khleang
      • West Prasat Top
      • Mangalartha
      • Ta Prohm Kel
      • Siem Reap River
      • Kapilapura
    • Small Circuit >
      • Thommanon
      • Chau Say Tevoda
      • Spean Thma
      • Chapel of the Hospital
      • Ta Keo
      • Ta Nei
      • Jayendranagari
      • Ta Prohm
      • Banteay Kdei
      • Kutishvara
    • Grand Circuit >
      • Prasat Tonle Snguot
      • Krol Romeas
      • Preah Khan in Angkor
      • Prasat Prei
      • Banteay Prei
      • Neak Pean
      • Krol Ko
      • Ta Sohm
      • East Mebon
      • Pre Rup
      • Leak Neang
      • Prasat Top
      • Srah Srang
      • Bat Chum
      • Prasat Kravan
    • Angkor East >
      • Prasat Tor
      • Banteay Samray
      • Phnom Bok
      • Chau Say Vibol
    • Angkor West >
      • West Baray
      • West Mebon
      • Ak Yum
      • Spean Memay
      • Phnom Rung
      • Kok Po
      • Neam Rup
      • Prasat Char
      • Prasat Sralao
      • Prasat Sampeau
      • Banteay Thom
      • Prei Prasat
    • Siem Reap area >
      • Wat An Kau Sai
      • Wat Athvea
      • Phnom Krom
    • Roluos Group >
      • Bakong
      • Preah Ko
      • Lolei
      • Prei Monti
      • Trapeang Phong
      • Toteung Thngai
      • Prasat O Ka-aek
      • Trapeang Srangae
    • North of Angkor >
      • Banteay Srei
      • Kbal Spean
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