Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape
Overview
The Champasak cultural landscape, including the Vat Phou Temple complex, is a remarkably well-preserved planned landscape more than 1,000 years old. It was shaped to express the Hindu vision of the relationship between nature and humanity, using an axis from mountain top to river bank to lay out a geometric pattern of temples, shrines and waterworks extending over some 10 km. Two planned cities on the banks of the Mekong River are also part of the site, as well as Phou Kao mountain. The whole represents a development ranging from the 5th to 15th centuries, mainly associated with the Khmer Empire.
About Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape
Vat Phou is a ruined Khmer-Hindu temple complex in southern Laos. There was a sanctuary on the site, centred on a spring and an offering place for a tutelary sprit dating back to pre-historic times. The first megalithic stone structures had been built probably as early as the second century BCE, consisting of two stone cells, a carving of a crocodile, serpent stairs, and offering platforms. One of the pre-Angkor brick buildings onsite was erected in the 7th century and became the focus of consequent building activities.
Read more on WikipediaSelection Criteria
(iii)(iv)
Components(1 location)
Details
- Countries
- Lao People's Democratic Republic
- ISO Codes
- LA
- Area
- 39,000 ha
- Coordinates
- 14.8483, 105.8222
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Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape
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Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape
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Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape