Wolfgang's photos with the keyword: Prasat Phanom Rung

The Walkway leads to the first of three naga bridges. The five-headed snakes face all four directions and are from the 12th century. This bridge represents the connection between heaven and earth. The naga bridge leads to the upper stairway, which is divided into five sets. Each set has terraces on the sides. The last terrace is wide, made with laterite blocks. It has a cruciform shape and four small pools. A couple more steps lead to the second naga bridge. It has the same shape as the first one, only smaller. In the middle the remains of an eight petalled lotus carving can be seen.

The decorations found on the lintels and frontal pediments of the main prang help indicate the age of the main building together with the staircase and the Naga Bridge; they are believed to have been constructed around the 12th century A.D. On the grounds of the inner courtyard, southwest of the main prang is a small prang with no roof. The carvings, pediments and lintels of this prang express that the minor prang was built before the main prang, around the 11th century A.D.

Therere remains of the brick base of the prang were also discovered on the northeast of the main prang and dated back to the 10th century A.D. Another structure made of laterite stands on the southeast of the main prang and dated to the 13th century A.D. The laterite structure is con temporary to the building which is known as Rong Chang Phueak (the Elephant Shelter).

The most important part, the main prang, is situated right at the center of the inner court yard of the sanctuary. The build ing has a rectangular shape with re-entrant angles at the corners. The square mondop was built adjacent to the main prang. The architectural designs that were carved on the prang such as the posts at the door frame, pillars on the walls, lintels, porticos and pediments, depict designs of floras, leaves, hermits, gods and god dess es and characters from re li gious myths: Vishnu (Narai) resting on Ananta, the Naga king and Shiva dancing, for example.

The site is approached from the east along the first three-leveled platforms leading to the first passage. Then, there is a causeway lined with blunted stone pillars in parallel rows. The path of stone uprights then leads to the Naga Bridge. Far on the northern side of the cross-shaped passage is a laterite pavilion or Phlabphla called the Elephant Shelter. At the end of the bridge is a terraced staircase with 5 landings leading up to the sanctuary. Beyond the bridge is a vast platform which has a passage that will lead to the Naga Bridge, right in front of the central gate of the gallery. The gate is the first entrance which will direct travellers to the inner courtyard of the prasat, by crossing another Naga Bridge that connects the gate with the main prang.

This temple complex is the largest and best restored of all Khmer monuments in Thailand. Phanom Rung is at the top of a volcanic cone and it means in Khmer: 'big hill'. It was originally build as a Hindu monument as we can see in the Shiva Linga and the sacred bull Nandin.

Thailand's Department of Fine Arts spent 17 years restoring the complex to its original state from 1971 till 1988. On 21 May, 1988, the park was officially opened by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. In 2005, the temple was submitted to UNESCO for consideration as a future world heritage site. Like the place of cultural interest Prasat Khao Phra Vihaan, which is full on Cambodian territory (see my album "A visit at Khao Phra Vihaan", this temple complex was built in sandstone and laterite in the 10th to 13th centuries. It was a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva, and symbolises Mount Kailash, his heavenly dwelling.

This remains are visited only by a few foreign tourist and still keep a value insider tip. It was built in the 10th-13th century A.D. Phanom Rung ("Phanom" is used form the Khmer word "Phnom" and means "Hill", a common word in Thai language) was a Hindu Saivite (Shiva) monastery. This Khmer heritage is one of the nicest culture centers bringing the interested visitor very close to the in Thailand located Khmer Ankor culture.