Banteay Samre Temple's Naga Balustrade Restored to Former Glory

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ANA

 

Cambodian and international archaeologists have completed the careful restoration of the iconic Naga balustrade and northwestern terrace at Banteay Samre Temple, a jewel of the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap.

 

The two-year project, led by the APSARA National Authority (ANA) in collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), has returned one of Angkor’s lesser-known yet architecturally rich temples to structural stability and aesthetic brilliance.

 

“This restoration has not only stabilised the terrace but has brought back much of the temple’s original elegance,” said Long Nary, a senior stone conservator from ANA. The team reinforced the foundations, restored the stone floor, replaced missing or broken elements of the Naga balustrade, and rebuilt deteriorated pillars using traditional materials and methods.

 

Banteay Samre, built in the mid-12th century during the reign of King Suryavarman II, is a masterwork of laterite and sandstone construction. Though less visited than nearby Angkor Wat, it remains a favourite among archaeologists for its symmetry and craftsmanship.

 

The temple lies within the vast 401-square-kilometre Angkor Archaeological Park, which houses over 90 temples from Cambodia’s golden age between the ninth and 13th centuries. The site continues to be a major tourism draw — with nearly 400,000 international visitors recorded in the first quarter of 2025 alone, generating more than $18 million in ticket sales, according to Angkor Enterprise.

 

This latest restoration reinforces Cambodia’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage with international support. As more of Angkor’s temples are stabilised and restored, the country continues to strike a careful balance between conservation and tourism.

 

 

-2025-05-05