Phnom Krom Temple
Description
Phnom Krom Temple was built by king Yasovarman I (889-915) or members of the nobility in the late 9th, early 10th centuries. The temple stands atop a natural hill rising 140 meters above the surrounding plain, providing a stunning view of nearby Tonle Sap lake and vicinity. Unfortunately, a consequence of this is that the powerful winds blowing across the Tonle Sap have badly eroded the structures, making the stones appear to have 'melted'.
The Phnom Krom temple comprises three central towers dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma. In front of these are four 'libraries', the inner pair made of stone and the outer two made of brick. Around these and the central towers are ten galleries which frame the ensemble. A wall measuring 50 x 50m surrounds the entire complex. It is built so close to the galleries that less than a meter separates them. At present, the wall and galleries are mostly in ruins, whereas all of the libraries and the central towers remain more-or-less intact (though heavily weathered).
