BANTEAY SAMRE
A single-storey temple founded by Suryavarman II and completed under Yasovarman II, featuring a 6 m-high wall and fine reliefs.
"Built in the first half of the 12th century by Suryavarman II, and probably completed under Yasovarman II, this single-storey temple with two enclosures is dedicated to Vishnu. The name citadel suits it well, since the first enclosure wall is 6 meters high. The ensemble has been perfectly restored, thanks to the remarkable work of anastylosis carried out by Maurice Glaize between 1936 and 1944. While the link with the Samre people (a so-called aboriginal ethnic group, cousin to the Chong) is still a mystery, there's a lovely legend surrounding the temple: a poor Samre farmer named Pou had been given the gift of growing succulent sweet cucumbers, for which the king had secured exclusive rights. The monarch had a late-night craving for the cucumber, so he went to the vegetable garden in search of the object of his passion, and was killed by the spear of the faithful Pou, who thought he was dealing with a thief. As the king had no descendants, Pou succeeded him after being chosen by the Elephant of Victory. Although various additions were apparently built over several centuries, the complex remains a particularly interesting example of classical Khmer architecture. Its ornamentation is exceptionally rich, and some very fine reliefs can still be seen, notably on the pediments, which are astonishing not only for the finesse of their execution, but also for the diversity of their themes. The structure of the central tower is also an architectural success.
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