Travels in the Central Parts of Indo-China (Siam), Cambodia, and Laos (Vol. 1 of 2): During the Years 1858, 1859, and 1860Mouhot, Henri
History
Travels in the Central Parts of Indo-China (Siam), Cambodia, and Laos (Vol. 1 of 2): During the Years 1858, 1859, and 1860
Mouhot, Henri
Cambodia -- Description and travel; Khmer language; Natural history -- Indochina; Thailand -- Description and travel
The roof--and in this respect it resembles all the other buildings--is
a double one, constructed externally of sculptured stone, the blocks in
the interior being plain; they were formerly hidden by a ceiling, also
sculptured, of which some remains may still be remarked. The edifice
divides the wall into two equal parts; upon the other sides, and facing
the monument, are three pavilions, 33 metres in length.
[Illustration:
Drawn by M. Guiaud, from a Sketch by M. Mouhot.
TEMPLE OF ONGCOR WAT, NORTH SIDE.]
This imposing colonnade, which, from its great length and beautiful
proportions, attracts the attention from a distance, forms a fitting
entrance to the great monument.
_The Temple._--Commencing from the building which forms the principal
entrance, is a second causeway, 9 metres wide by 342 metres in length;
it is raised 1 metre from the level of the ground. It is covered with
huge blocks of stone, carefully joined together throughout its entire
length, and is surrounded by a balustrade, partially in ruins, about 10
centimetres high, composed of long stones, with bevelled edges, very
massive, and covered with sculptures. On each side are six platforms
of earth, ascended by several steps, upon each of which is a serpent
with seven heads, some erect, others thrown back.
In the centre of the causeway are two elegant pavilions, one on each
side, having at each extremity a portico 33 metres 66 centimetres in
length. At the end of the causeway, and at the foot of the terrace,
are, on each side of the latter, two ponds or sheets of water. A
balustrade, like that of the causeway, and resting like it upon a
sculptured basement, springs from the foot of the terrace, and runs all
round the monument. At certain intervals there are large staircases of
several steps each.
_The Terrace._--The terrace is 2 metres 30 centimetres in height, and
is surrounded by 112 fluted columns, surmounted by capitals, formed
in each case of one single block of stone. The basement, like that
of the whole building, is ornamented with very beautiful sculptured
cornices, varied in style, and entirely covered with delicate carvings
representing roses and arabesques, worked with the chisel, with a taste
and skill equally wonderful.
This terrace forms a cross, each arm of which is 122 metres in length,
and 12 metres 16 centimetres wide. There are three flights of steps,
upon each of which are four lions reclining upon their pedestals.
_The Portico._--This is 6 metres in length, and is supported by six
columns, four of which are detached from the monument.
The temple is formed of three distinct parts raised in the form of
terraces one above the other.
_The Galleries._--The galleries form a rectangle, the façade of which
is 180 metres in length; the sides 216 metres 16 centimetres by 4
metres 16 centimetres.
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