Terrace of the Elephants
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The Terrace of the Elephants is part of the walled city of Angkor Thom, a ruined temple complex in Cambodia. The terrace was used by Angkor's king Jayavarman VII as a platform from which to view his victorious returning army. It was attached to the palace of Phimeanakas, of which only a few ruins remain. Most of the original structure was made of organic material and has long since disappeared. Most of what remains are the foundation platforms of the complex. The terrace is named for the carvings of elephants on its eastern face.
The 350m-long Terrace of Elephants was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king's grand audience hall. It has five outworks extending towards the Central Square-three in the centre and one at each end. The middle section of the retaining wall is decorated with life size garuda and lions; towards either end are the two parts of the famous parade of elephants complete with their Khmer mahouts.
| Angkorian Sites edit | |
|---|---|
| Angkor | Angkor Thom | Angkor Wat | Baksei Chamkrong | Banteay Kdei | Banteay Samré | Banteay Srei | Baphuon | The Bayon | Chau Say Tevoda | East Baray | East Mebon | Kbal Spean | The Khleangs | Krol Ko | Lolei | Neak Pean | Phimeanakas | Phnom Bakheng | Phnom Krom | Prasat Ak Yum | Prasat Kravan | Preah Khan | Preah Ko | Preah Palilay | Preah Pithu | Pre Rup | Spean Thma | Srah Srang | Ta Prohm | Ta Som | Ta Keo | Terrace of the Elephants | Terrace of the Leper King | Thommanon | West Baray | West Mebon | Yasodharapura |
| Rest of Cambodia | Banteay Chhmar | Beng Mealea | Koh Ker | Prasat Preah Vihear |
| Thailand | Lopburi | Phanom Rung | Muang Tum | Phimai | Mueang Sing |
| Laos | Wat Phou | Oum Moung |
