Prasat Suor Prat, Siem Reap

Tower in Siem Reap

Angkor SiemReap Cambodia Suor Prat Towers

CC BY-SA 3.0 / CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

Located inside Angkor Thom, about 180 meters east of the Royal Palace and its terraces, Prasat Suor Prat consists of twelve monumental and enigmatic towers made from laterite. They stand in front of the north and south Khleangs, with six towers on each side of Victory Avenue, the causeway leading to the Victory Gate. The towers are aligned along a north-south axis, but the two nearest towers to Victory Avenue on either side are slightly off-axis, positioned to the east.

The name Prasat Suor Prat is a contemporary one, derived from the local belief that the towers once supported wires for acrobatic performances during royal festivals. The surrounding area is often referred to as the Royal Plaza, possibly inspired by the records of Zhou Daguan, a 13th-century Chinese missionary. Zhou wrote about the grand festivals held in this area and noted the towers’ use in settling disputes among the Angkorian people (as described in his work, Customs of Cambodia). While no structural or archaeological evidence supports the wire-dancing theory, it remains a popular local legend.

The exact purpose and construction date of the towers remain a mystery, as no inscriptions or foundation steles have been found. Many researchers suggest they were likely built during the 12th to 13th centuries, though some date them more specifically to the 12th century.

The construction of the towers is distinctive, with a blocky, squared layout featuring balustered windows around each side. The towers incorporate false levels of diminishing size to create height, and a mandapa (hall) extends at the entrance. Interestingly, the ruins of Boeng Srae Khang Lech Temple at Preah Khan of Kampong Svay share some architectural similarities with these towers.

Despite their prominent location, the towers were primarily constructed from laterite, a material typically used for foundations and walls. Sandstone was used for the doorframes, window frames, and frontons. Notably, the towers were never fully completed-frontons remain unfinished, and no traces of final rendering have been found on the laterite. This suggests the towers may have been constructed in haste or were abandoned before completion.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.5 (120)

Suor Proat Temple sits along the eastern side of Angkor Thom's Royal Square and comprises a row of twelve nearly identical laterite and sandstone towers facing the Terrace of the Elephants; visitors praise its imposing, photogenic ruins, unusual window balusters, two-level interiors and weathered bas-reliefs, and note the rustic charm of wooden supports, a surrounding lake and easy access that makes it a peaceful detour from busier sites and a pleasant spot for sunset photos.

Chetra Yoeurn

a week ago

"Situated to the east of Elephant Terrace, Sour Proat is an incredible historical site that is both unique and impressive. It was constructed in thelate 12th century. As one travels along the road, particularly at sunset time, the scenery remains pleasant and uplifting...."

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Moeun Sokchea

a month ago

"Sour Prat temple is located at the begi ing of the road leading to the Victory Gate, in front of the Royal Palace. The temple was built in the late12th century by King Jayavarman VII and features a row of 12 square laterite and sandstone towers, six on one either side of the road leading to the Victory Gate. The two towers closest to the road are set back slightly from the others. The towers have an unusual feature of windows with balusters on three sides. Entrance porches open toward the west onto the parade ground. The interior of each tower has two levels and on the upper one there is a cylindrical vault with two frontons. The frames, bays and lintels were made of sandstone. According to a Cambodian legend, the towers served as anchoring places for ropes which stretched from one to another for acrobats performing at festivals, while the king observed the performances from one of the terraces. This activity is reflected in the name of the towers. Zhou Daguan wrote about the entirely different purpose of the towers in describing a method of settling disputes between men. Some think that they may have served as alter for each province on the occasion of taking the oath of loyalty to the king. Twelve nearly identical laterite and sandstone towers that stand opposite and parallel to the Terrace of the Elephants. The artistic and architectural style of the towers is somewhat unique, defying easy classification and dating. Construction may have begun under Jayavarman VII, but the towers do not display the classic Bayon-style characteristics. It has been argued that they may be post-Bayon or perhaps much earlier, as early the 11th century. The original function of the towers is a matter of debate but in the 13th century classic, "Customs of Cambodia," Chinese emissary to Angkor, Zhou Daguan, gives a romantic but dubious first hand account of their function. He wrote that the towers were used to settle legal disputes and matters of criminal justice. The belligerent parties were kept in the towers for a few days. The one to emerge in ill health was declared the loser, guilty by divine decree. The best photographed in the late afternoon...."

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Micheal Linke

5 months ago

"One of the ruins that lies between much more heavily visited sites, but receives almost none of the traffic. It is a handsome ruin, parts held up byweathered wooden supports which give it a rustic charm. Easily accessible, but no handicapped accessibility provided. The bas-reliefs in the stone are heavily weathered, but some details can still be observed. It is well worth a visit if you want to escape the crowds which never seem to stray away from the larger temple sites...."

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The Prasat Suor Prat appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Siem Reap!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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