Ta Prohm (Constructed: Late 12th – Early 13th century, King/Patron: Jayavarman VII, Religion: Buddhist)

Intentionally left partially un-restored, massive fig and silk-cotton trees grow from the towers and corridors offering a “jungle atmosphere” and some of the best “tree in temple” photo opportunities at Angkor. Unfortunately, from the “Jungle atmosphere.” Ta Prohm is still well worth an extended exploration of its dark corridors and open plazas. This temple was one of Jayavarman VII’s first major temple projects.

Ta Prohm was dedicated to his mothers. (Preah Khan, built shortly after Ta Prohm in the same general style, was dedicated to Jayavarman VII’s father.) Ta Prohm was originally constructed as a Buddhist monastery and was enormously wealthy in its time, boasting of control over 3,000 villages, thousands of support staff and vast stores of jewels and gold.