BANTEAY SREY The Citadel of Women
Banteay Srey
A favorite of whoever visits it; this small Hindu temple of Banteay Srey has the finest of all the carvings of the temples of Angkor. it was built under the reign of King Rajenraverarman in the late 10th Century. It is made of rare pink sandstone. The carvings and reliefs have a unique three dimensionality about them. which let to the misconception that it may have carved by Women. Its name is likey to refer to the description "Citadel of Weath'' due to its golden colour.
The stone used is incredibly fine grained; which allowed the artisans to create a masterpiece. its on of the "unmissble" sights of Angkor
The temple is surrounded by laterite walls; with a causeway and moat that leads to the central Sanctuary. Within the sanctuary are a number of diminutive buildings and shrines. All have low doorways and tiny windows giving the impression that this is a temple in miniature.
The stone used is incredibly fine grained; which allowed the artisans to create a masterpiece. its on of the "unmissble" sights of Angkor
The temple is surrounded by laterite walls; with a causeway and moat that leads to the central Sanctuary. Within the sanctuary are a number of diminutive buildings and shrines. All have low doorways and tiny windows giving the impression that this is a temple in miniature.
Construction and renovation of Banteay Srey
Banteay Srey was bullt of pink sandstone over porous latereite. The temple is surrounded by laterite walls; with a causeway and moat that leads to the central Sanctuary. Within the sanctuary are a number of diminutive buildings and shrines. All have low doorways and tiny windows giving the impression that this is a temple in miniature.
The sandstone is of a very fine nature and was easily carved. this enabled the artisans to produce intricate work which has a three dimensionalty that is unique in Angkor Region. No one knows where the stone originated; so remains a mystery.
The Temple was discovered in in 1914 by French explorers and a rchaeologists. Restoration was started soon afterwards. Work continued on and off untill 2005 when the last of the work to improve drainage and stablise the foundations was carried out.
The central sanctuary has been off limits for several years and has been roped off to prevent damage to the delicate stonework. In 2008, lion and Hanuman (Monkey God) reproductions were added to replace damaged originals.
The sandstone is of a very fine nature and was easily carved. this enabled the artisans to produce intricate work which has a three dimensionalty that is unique in Angkor Region. No one knows where the stone originated; so remains a mystery.
The Temple was discovered in in 1914 by French explorers and a rchaeologists. Restoration was started soon afterwards. Work continued on and off untill 2005 when the last of the work to improve drainage and stablise the foundations was carried out.
The central sanctuary has been off limits for several years and has been roped off to prevent damage to the delicate stonework. In 2008, lion and Hanuman (Monkey God) reproductions were added to replace damaged originals.
