Angkor ceased to be a living city in 1431 when the Khmer abandoned it in face on constant attack from the Thai's. With time the ruins were all but swallowed up by dense jungle. An ancient civilization lost to nature. The popular myth but in fact Angkor was never lost as such, rather it became less and less accessible. It was still known locally as a place of pilgrimage, a vague memory in the minds of European missionaries. It is claimed that the last Kingdom was re-discovered by French naturalist Henri Mouhot in January 1860. Wether or not the Kingdom was ever lost remains a matter for debate but what is not in question is that the posthumous publishing of the accounts of Mouhot's travels did trigger European interest in Asia's single most remarkable archaeological site - The Temples of Angkor.
Angkor
Wat was built in the 12th century by Suryavarman II is the largest
religious building in the world measuring at its base 1,500 metres by
1.300 metre. When one crosses the Naga bridge it appears as if there are
just three towers. It is not until one has entered the inner courtyard
that the other two are visible. It was originally built for worship to
the Hindu gods. To the north stands the Bayon with 54 stone towers, each
the face of Bodhisattva on each of the four sides and stands at the
centre of Angkor Thom. It is surrounded by a moat and is approached at
the four cardinal points through massive stone gates. Ta Prohm to the
east of Angkor Thom is particularly fascinating as it is left as it was
found with roots of the trees growing up though the masonry of the
ancient temples.
But the architectural jewel is Banteay Seri some 30 kms from Angkor Wat, which can be reached via a rough unmade road. Built in the 10th century it's a fine example of intricately and deeply carved red stone. It is not is often excluded from the standard temple tour but visitors should insist that their guide includes it in the itinerary.
In 1986 UNESCO declared that Anger Watt to be a World Heritage site.