Temples of Prasat Kleangs & Prasat Suor Prat. Angkor Thom. The Kleangs are two groups of buildings which at one time have been p
Temples of Prasat Kleangs & Prasat Suor Prat. Angkor Thom. The Kleangs are two groups of buildings which at one time have been palaces. We have the north and south Kleang. In front of the two Kleangs we have 12 laterite towers known as the Prasat Suor Prat of Temple of the Tightrope Dancers. We believe that these were also created by Jayavarman VII. It is believed that artists performed for the king on tightropes strung between these towers. Suor Prat Temple - 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. Best photographed in the late afternoon.
Size: 6144px × 4113px
Photo credit: © Sergi Reboredo / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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