Cambodia
The Treasures of Angkor
When Henri Mouhout's "Voyage a Siam et dans le Cambodge" appeared in 1868, Angkor suddenly gained widespread attention around the world. In his report, Mouhout describes a city captured by the thicket of the rainforest, a city of incredible dimensions. As a result, Angkor became a Mecca for archaeologists whose aim was to strip the overgrown city of its mystery and free the temples from nature's strangling clutches.
The bloody Indochina wars which ravaged the region from the middle of the twentieth century to the end, marked a dark chapter in Angkor's history. Circumstances did not return to normal until shortly before the turn of the 21st century, when Angkor once again became the focus of public interest. Unlike other sites in Indochina, Angkor and its surrounding areas escaped major destruction: fortunately, the cultural monuments were largely spared during the wars.
Apart from the site's sheer magnificence, structured architecture and outstanding beauty, visitors are frequently fascinated by the extraordinary size and number of stone blocks used in the construction of the monuments. It is worth noting that Angkor is situated in the flatlands, the closest mountains being over 50 kilometres away. It is hard to imagine the legions of labourers and the number of stonemasons and artists it must have taken to erect these temples. Ample rice fields in the vicinity of Angkor have served as a main food source to locals throughout history. Their villages are erected on piles in order to compensate for Monsoon-related water level changes at Tonle Sap, a nearby lake fed by the waters of the Mekong. The fragile pile dwelling settlements represent a stark contrast to the sturdy temples designed to last an eternity.
As a result of the overwhelming number of monuments and the broad range of architectural styles, touring the site in a short period of time can be a fatiguing experience to some visitors. Making new discoveries without tiring out quickly requires the willingness to experience the tropical scenery with its ample rice fields and village people together with the grandiose architecture as a symbiotic whole. The images shown will take you on a virtual walk through Angkor and its surroundings.