Banteay Prey Temple

Temple in Siem Reap

Banteay Prei, Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Stefan Fussan

Also known as Prasat Banteay Prei, this temple is located in the Angkor Archaeological Park near Siem Reap, just north of Preah Khan and off the Grand Circuit road. First, you’ll encounter Prasat Prei, and 100 meters further is the larger Banteay Prei site. The temples were built during the late 12th to early 13th century, under the reign of Jayavarman VII.

At its peak, the site was likely of great significance, featuring an outer wall, an inner moat (typically dry), crossed by causeways to the east and west, basins, and an inner galleried enclosure with four gopuras and pavilions at each corner. These elements all enclosed a single inner sanctuary.

Notable features include vertical medallions on one side of the eastern gopura, some remnants of lintels, and well-preserved apsara bas-reliefs. The door jambs are richly adorned, a signature style of the period. At the eastern entrance, where the moat is crossed, the remains of a short, ornate naga balustrade can be seen, along with a large garuda ornament at the end, now lying on the ground.

Inscriptions on the door jambs and other parts of the site, recorded by Cœdès in the early 1900s and later translated by Soutif, list the names of the builders and the deity worshiped here.

On the east side, between the moat and the outer wall, south of the causeway, there are linear remains of another structure made of laterite. It is speculated that this could be a Buddhist Terrace from the post-Angkor period, though further research is needed to confirm this.

The site is peaceful and rarely visited, making it a serene place to explore. During the wet season, the moat fills, and the lush greenery transforms the site into a picturesque ruin. Recent restoration work has been carried out on the north gopura, preserving the temple for future visitors.

The Banteay Prey Temple appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Siem Reap!

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Visiting Banteay Prey Temple

Address: Prasat Banteay Prei, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

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