Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom was the fortified inner royal city built by Jayavarman VII (1181 - 1220?), king of the Khmer Empire, at the end of the 12th Century after Angkor had been conquered and destroyed by the Chams.
The royal city was built as a quadrangle, surrounded by a 1000 meter moat and an 8 metres high wall. The actual royal palace had been built during the reign of Suryavarman I 150 years earlier. Its buildings included the Heavenly Palace where the king spent the first part of each night engaged in sexual intercourse with the Sun Queen, according to legend.
Located exactly in the center of Angkor Thom is the Bayon, Jayavarman VII's state temple. It is known for its towers, with faces of Buddha on all four sides, and its inside walls are covered with reliefs of kings and town life..
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