Banteay Srey, meaning the citadel of women or of fortune, is a Hindu temple. Located 20 km north-east of Bayon, this temple sits within the site of the ancient city of Isvarapura, near the mountain of Phnom Dei. Through the exceptional preservation of its architecture and mythological decorations, this place is often considered the crown jewel of Khmer culture. Its decorative carvings rank among the finest engravings of the Angkorian site.

History

Banteay Srey temple was first constructed around the 10th century, more precisely in 967, during the reign of Jayavarman V. Since its construction, it has been entirely dedicated to the deity Shiva, also known as Tribhuvanamahesvara or the Lord of the Three Worlds.

With the arrival of archaeologists from the French School of the Far East, the temple was quickly cleared in 1924. Led by Henri Marchal, the EFEO team developed, from 1931 onwards, the reconstruction of the temple using the anastylosis method. It was the first temple to be restored using this technique. For this reason, it underwent complete renovation.

Subsequently, the temple underwent extensive restoration between 2010 and 2016 by teams from the University of Geneva and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne. Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Cambodian government, this project was primarily aimed at repairing damage caused by water runoff, looting, and vandalism.

Along with the Angkor archaeological site, Banteay Srey is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visiting Banteay Srey Temple

Occupying a small footprint, Banteay Srey temple extends only over approximately 45,000 m². Like all other Angkorian temples, Banteay Srey is surrounded by moats and enclosure walls of brick and laterite. It thus features three enclosures that each harbor different structures.

Built with pink sandstone and laterite, this temple is a fine example of Khmer architecture. Though it appears as a small-scale replica of this style, its structures emerge as treasures of Cambodian culture. During your visit, you can admire the splendid decorations and the ingenious architectural style of the Angkorian peoples.

The enclosure walls for this site are terminated on all four sides by entrance gates called gopuras, typical of Angkorian temples. Generally, the gates are built on the east and west sides. Spanning 38 m in width and 42 m in length, the second enclosure houses two such structures. Unlike the other two enclosures, the pediments here are magnificently decorated. You will also find a statue of the dancing god, Shiva Nataraja. For the third and final enclosure, the gopuras are more complex and larger than the other two. They comprise two pillar porches, a central cruciform hall, and two vestibule-passages serving as galleries or libraries.

For lovers of ancient sculpture, Banteay Srey temple is a true open-air museum. The majority of masterpieces found here are recognized for their complexity and unique style. The sculptures evoke the mythological scenes of Khmer culture, featuring divinities such as devatas or dvarapalas and the symbolic creatures of the Shiva era. The facades of lintels, doors, gopuras, and stupas are finely carved with floral motifs and scenes from Hindu mythology. The columns are also richly decorated with apsaras, sculptures of celestial nymphs.

This temple is located approximately 32 km north-east of Siem Reap. By following the main road north from this city, you can reach Banteay Srey by car in 45 minutes.

Hours

The temple is open daily from 7:00 am until 5:30 pm.

The Angkor site pass remains valid for all its ancient temples, including Banteay Srey.