Angkor Thom.

Angkor  Thom  was  the last  and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. Established  in  the late  twelfth  century by king Jayavarman VII, Angkor  Thom  covers an  area  of 9 km,  within which are located severalmonuments  from  earlier  eras as well as those  established by Jayavarman and his
successors.

The  fortified  city  of  Angkor  Thom was built by Angkor’s greatest King, Jayavarman  VII  (ruled-1181-1219). Centered on Baphuon, Angkor Thomis enclosed by a square wall 8m high and 12km in length  and encircled by moat  100m  wide.  The  city  has  five  monumental  gates,  one each in the
north, west and south walls and two in the east wall.

In  front  of  each  gate  stands giant  statues  of 54 gods (to the left of the causeway)  and 54 demons
(to  the  right  of  the  causeway),  a  motif takenfrom the story of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk
illustrated in the famous bas-relief at Angkor Wat. In the center of the walled enclosure are the city’s
most  important  monuments,  including the Bayon, the Baphuon, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas and the Terrace of Elephants.