Spean Thmor

Temples of Angkor

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Spean Thmor, of which an arch and several piers remain, is 200m east of Thommanon. Jayavarman VII constructed many roads with these immense stone bridges spanning watercourses. This is the only large bridge remaining in the immediate vicinity of Angkor. It vividly highlights how the water level has changed over the centuries and may offer another clue to the collapse of Angkor’s extensive irrigation system. Just north of Spean Thmor is a large water wheel.

There are more-spectacular examples of these ancient bridges elsewhere in Siem Reap Province, such as Spean Preah Tuos, with 19 arches, in Kompong Kdei on NH6 from Phnom Penh; and Spean Ta Ong, a 77m bridge with a beautiful naga, forgotten in the forest about 28km east of Beng Mealea.

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Nearby Temples of Angkor attractions

1. Chau Say Tevoda

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Just east of Angkor Thom’s Victory Gate is Chau Say Tevoda. It was probably built during the second quarter of the 12th century, under the reign of…

2. Thommanon

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Just north of Chau Say Tevoda, Thommanon borrows many features from Angkor Wat and was dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. The small temple is in good…

3. Ta Keo

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Ta Keo is a stark, undecorated temple that undoubtedly would have been one of the finest of Angkor’s structures, had it been finished. Built by Jayavarman…

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One of two gates in the eastern walls of Angkor Thom, the Victory Gate was used by the Khmer kings of old upon their successful return from battle.

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6. Ta Nei

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Ta Nei, 800m north of Ta Keo, was built by Jayavarman VII (r 1181–1219). There is something of the spirit of Ta Prohm here, albeit on a lesser scale, with…

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