Angkor Wat Attracts Seniors

Angkor Wat is a Hindu, then subsequently Buddhist temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world. It is a World Heritage Site and by now you know this senior’s penchant for those sites wherever they lie in the world.

Angkor was the capital of the Khmer (Cambodian) empire from the 9th to the 15th century, a period that is considered the classical era of Cambodian history.  Today Angkor Wat is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia.

Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations, built between roughly A.D. 1113 and 1150, and encompassing an area of about 500 acres.  It is one of the largest religious monuments ever constructed. Its name means simply “temple city.”

Seniors Visit the Seventh Wonder of the World

UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging program to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings. The temples of Angkor, built by the Khmer civilization between 802 and 1220 AD, represent one of humankind’s most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements. The site is called the “Seventh Wonder of the World”. Angkor Wat, in its beauty and state of preservation, is unrivaled.

Seniors can take a Virtual Travel Tour of Angkor Wat and get a good conception of just how large the entire structure is. Originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, it was converted into a Buddhist temple in the 14th century. It has remained a place of worship since its founding in the 12th century.

Thought to be a miniature replica of the universe, its composition of towers, moats and concentric walls reveals an architectural sophistication, and the bas-reliefs with their plump figures and triumphal battle scenes reflect a robust, healthy and wealthy period of history.

Angkor, in Cambodia’s northern province of Siem Reap, is one of the most important archaeological sites of Southeast Asia. It consists of scores of temples, hydraulic structures (basins, dykes, reservoirs, canals) as well as communication routes. For several centuries Angkor, was the center of the Khmer Kingdom.

Bustling Ancient City Uncovered

With impressive monuments, several different ancient urban plans and large water reservoirs, the site is a unique concentration of features testifying to an exceptional civilization. Angkor, is located in modern-day Cambodia and was once the capital of the Khmer Empire. As old as it is, airborne laser technology has uncovered a network of roadways and canals, illustrating a bustling ancient city linking Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temples complex.

 Angkor Wat is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. It is the centerpiece of any visit to the various temples of Angkor. jeb