An large temple in Northern Cambodia

Angkor Wat is an enormous temple complex located in northern Cambodia. In fact, it is the largest religious monument in the world stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area. It looks magnificent. The word “Angkor” means “capital city” in the Khmer language, while the word “Wat” means “temple.” Take a virtual tour of the temple here. 

For a video simulation and to see what Angkor Wat would have looked like centuries ago head to Virtual Angkor Wat. As the website suggests “Virtual Angkor is a groundbreaking collaboration between Virtual History Specialists, Archaeologists and Historians designed to bring the Cambodian metropolis of Angkor to life.“

From the 9th to 15th centuries, the numerous capitals of the Khmer Dynasty thrived here while their kings ruled over an empire that extended from Myanmar (Burma) to Vietnam. Angkor occupies more than 400 square kilometers, including forested regions and recently found “suburbs.”

The huge Angkor Wat is the most prominent of all the temples of Cambodia, while just one of hundreds of remaining temples and buildings, it appears on the flag of the country, and it is revered with good purpose. The “temple-mountain” of the 12th century was designed for the Hindu god Vishnu as a spiritual home. The temple is an architectural triumph laden with creative artifacts, such as the galleries of bas-relief that line several walls and tell lasting stories of Cambodian history and legend.

Such art portrays scenes of everyday life in other areas of Angkor, giving scholars a valuable glimpse into the past.

Definitely worth a visit!