Preah Khan

Preah Khan is one of most prominent temple complexes in Angkor. It is located on the northern corner of the Angkor Thorn. The temple was constructed in 12th century at the behest of King Jayavarman VII. It is spread over 56 hectares. It was earlier known as Nagara Jayasri, meaning Holy City of Victory. The site is currently maintained by the World Monuments Fund. The complex is known for its fine carvings as well as for its vegetation. It features for processional walkways leading to the gates of the temple. Its central sanctuary has four vaulted galleries leading to the cardinal directions. The main entrance to the complex is in the east direction. However, the western entrance is now used for tourist purposes.
Like other complexes, Preah Khan also has an outer wall which is further protected by a moat. Inside are the remnants of the former living quarters of the monks, attendants and students. The complex shows mix of Buddhist and Hindu construction, giving it a unique prospective. The eastern entrance of the complex is in Mahayana Buddhist style and features equal sized doors. Preah Khan also shows signs of microbial degradation. Like Ta Prohm, this complex also has abundance of trees growing through the structures. The site also has been found to have microbial biofilms which can degrade the quality and life of sandstone. The samples from the site have also shown signs of filamentous fungus.