North of the Golden
Tower [Bayon], rises the Tower of Branze
[Baphuon] higher even than the Golden
Tower
Prasat Baphuon is located 200 metres (656 feet) northwest of
the Bayon and south of Phimeanakas. An enter and leave at the east.
Tip: Access to the summit is difficult as much of the temple
has collapsed and it is overgrown but for those stalwarts who want to go to the
top, use the way with columns at the east and the temple of Phimeanakas
BACKGROUND
The grandeur of Baphuon as described above by Zhou Daguan is
unrecognizable today because of the poor condition of the temple. The French
were in the process of restoring this temple when they were forced leave Angkor in 1972 because of war. Baphuon is situated inside
the royal city of Angkor Thom
but dates from the eleventh century and was built before the city was established.
An interesting feature of Baphuon are the bas-reliefs which are scenes carved
in small squares.
Unfortunately few of these are visible because of the poor
state of the temple. The narrative themes are realistic depictions of daily
life and forest scenes.
LAYOUT
Baphuon is a single sanctuary temple-mountain situated on a
high base. It is a symbolical representation of Mount Meru
Tip: Before walking down the approach turn left at the east
entry tower and walk to the end of the gallery for a superb view of a four-faced
tower of the Bayuon framed by a doorway of Baphuon. The approach is intercepted
by a pavilion in the shape of a cross (4) with terraces on the left and right
sides. Turn left and walk to the opening the approach. Continue to the view of
the arrangement of the imposing pillars under the approach. Continue to the end
of the gallery to see a rectangular paved pool.
The temple stands on a rectangular sandstone base with five
levels that are approximately the same size, rather than the more common form
of successively smaller levels. The first, second and third levels are
surrounded by sandstone galleries. Baphuon is the first structure in which
stone galleries with a central tower appear. Two libraries (6) in the shape of
a cross with four porches stand in the courtyard. They were originally
connected by an elevated walkway supported by columns.
The gallery of the enclosure collapsed and, at a later date ,
the stones from it were modeled into the shape of a reclining Buddha that spans
the length of the west wall ( the head is on the left, facing the temple) . It
is an abstract form and the outline of this Buddha is difficult to distinguish.
A stairway leading to the summit begins in the middle of the Buddha.
The top level is in poor condition due to several collapses.
Originally there was a Central Sanctuary with two wings. Each side of the
entrance to the Central Sanctuary is carved with fine animated figures. If you
look carefully you can see these from the ground on the west side.
Tip: The view from the top with Phnom Bakheng in the south
and Phimeanakas in the north is magnificent.
