Angkor Thom South Gate

South Gate, Angkor Thom, Cambodia – 2018. Angkor Thom dates back to the late 12th century and was established by King Jayavarman VII as the capital of the Khmer Kingdom. The city is in the form of a square surrounded by 8 meter high defensive walls 3 kilometres long on each side. At the center of each wall is a gopura gate which is an ornate monumental entrance tower. The south gate of Angkor Thom was restored in the 1950’s and is the best preserved of the five entrance gates. Each gate consists of a 23 meter high central tower with a smaller tower on each side. Each of the central towers has four very large heads each facing in a different direction. The wall is surrounded by a wide moat. Most of the buildings in the city were wood and have not survived. Only the stone structures remain.

One of the 54 'asuras' (demon gods) on the causeway leading to the South Gate of Angkor Thom

The South Gate of Angkor Thom which is 23 meters high and has four heads, each facing in a different direction

One of the 54 'devas' (guardian gods) on the causeway leading to the South Gate of Angkor Thom. The water in the background is the moat that surrounds the city

The South Gate of Angkor Thom

The south wall of Angkor Thom

Carved figures on the South Gate of Angkor Thom

A fruit salesman near Bayon temple in Angkor Thom