Prasat Prei Monti

The fourth monument of the Roluos complex, formerly the capital of the Khmer Empire in the 9th century called Hariharalaya, is surely the least known and least visited of all. Its origin is somewhat vague, but it is known to have been built before Preah Ko (880), Bakong, and Lolei. Prasat Prei Monti was not only a temple but also a sanctuary at its entrance, sheltered by a large royal palace, much like Preah Ko located nearby.

The construction of Prei Monti is somewhat unclear in history. It is often attributed to King Jayavarman III, the successor of Jayavarman II, the founder of the Khmer Empire in 802. Jayavarman III ruled over this flourishing empire for a long time (834-877) without leaving as much of a mark on history as his predecessor. However, it is still true that Prei Monti was the first major monument attributed to the Angkorian Empire.

Visiting Prei Monti today

There is little left of what the Prei Monti complex would have been like in its time. Only three very damaged laterite towers, built on the same platform, which most certainly represent the ancient sanctuary, still stand today. The use of a non-perishable material like brick, over 1,150 years ago, is likely one of the reasons for this. As is often the case in such situations, it is the foundations of the buildings that last the longest, along with the ornate lintels (photo). These provide significant help in researching the construction date and its context.

This ancient sanctuary has the particularity, which is not really unique but rather common in Angkor, of being aligned on an exact north-south axis with the northern sanctuary of Preah Ko, built shortly afterward. This axis is even exactly parallel to another, one that links the Lolei sanctuary in the north to the Bakong state temple in the south. These precisely aligned constructions, based on coordinates defined without the help of Google Maps at the time, would later be repeated in Angkor, such as with the Eastern Mebon, which is exactly aligned with Pre Rup on a north-south axis, itself connected about 15 kilometers away to the Western Mebon on an east-west axis.

This sanctuary was built within the walls of the royal palace, which has long since been destroyed. Just like at Preah Ko, this type of structure was mostly built with wood or bamboo at the time, materials that are not durable. However, ceramics from the Tang Dynasty and luxury goods have been found in this area, reinforcing the idea of a welcoming and reception monument, much like a royal palace.

A visit early in the morning, right after sunrise, is highly recommended at Prei Monti. The calmness is palpable, and the place sees very few visitors. You will have the time to enjoy every little detail.