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The Royal Palace and the Phimeanakas
temple were built from the late 10th to the early 11th century. They related to several kings of Angkor. The temple was built in the Royal palace’s square, which is surrounded by sandstone wall. The site is on the north of Bayon temple and next to the north of Bapuon temple.
The Royal Palace was built by king Rajendravarman. In the Royal enclosure, there were many wood royal houses.(But have since long disappears.) In addition, sandstone pools used by king for bathing still exist near the north wall.Phimeanakas Temple was built by the king Suryavarman I (A.D. 1002-1050).
After the construction had been completed, the temple became the State Temple of the King.
The temple is aligned with Jayavarman VII's Victory Gate. The temple was built on 35-meter-by-28-meter base with about 40 meters in height, including the platform and remaining gallery on top.
It is a sandstone pyramid temple, now in a bad state of ruin, representing Mount Meru, the Central Mountain of the Hindu cosmos.
On the internal walls of the Royal Palace’s entrance, there are many similar inscriptions, which were written in the reign of King YasovarmanI.
The inscriptions are the oaths of allegiance that his officials had made to show their honest to the King and his throne.
A Chinese visitor, Chou Ta-Kuan, who visited Angkor in 1296/7, reported that every night the king climbed to the top of the highest central tower of the Phimeanakas to sleep with a Naga (sacred serpent) that transformed itself into a beautiful woman every night. If the king missed one single night with his snake-lady, the entire kingdom would suffer a terrible famine, and worse. If she did not appear, this signaled the eve of the king's death.
Other Places:
Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, terrace of elephant and leper king, Phimeanakas, Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo, Kravan, Pre Rup, Mebon, Neak Pean, Preah Khan, Roluos group temples(Prah Ko, Bakong and Lolei), Kbal Spean, Kulen mountain, Phnom Kulen, Beng Mealea, Group of Koh Ker
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