Preah Khan: The Beauty of Ruins

Preah Khan is located northeast of Angkor Thom in Cambodia. Built in the 12th century, it was constructed by Jayavarman VII (one of the three great kings) to commemorate his father. It is the only temple in the Angkor complex with ancient Roman and Greek architectural styles. Although Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia, it has been influenced by cultures from India, other parts of Southeast Asia, and even further afield. This extensive cultural exchange made it possible for Mediterranean-style architecture to appear in Preah Khan. The most distinctive building is the library, which is said to have been used to store the sacred sword given by Jayavarman II to his successor. Preah Khan is named after this sword. In addition, the walls and stone pillars of Preah Khan are covered with exquisite murals and reliefs, depicting scenes from the lives of ancient Khmer people, mythological stories, and religious beliefs, such as Asuras and Apsaras.