APSARA Authority to Restore the Bayon Temple’s Drainage System
The APSARA National Authority experts have started to remove hundreds of stones in the first gallery of the southwestern part of the Bayon temple in order to repair the collapsed pavement and restore the temple’s drainage system. Photo: APSARA National Authority
- By Zul Rorvy
- February 2, 2024 8:55 AM
PHNOM PENH — The APSARA National Authority experts have started to remove hundreds of stones in the first gallery of the southwestern part of the Bayon temple in order to repair the collapsed pavement and restore the temple’s drainage system.
These stones had been left by the French conservators of the early 20th century. Since then, the weight of hundreds of tons of stones has caused the floor of the first gallery to collapse, calling for urgent removal of the stones before restoration.
Meng Sovanlylin, architect and site manager of the Bayon, said that the APSARA experts will try to repair the collapsed floor and place the stones in their original positions.
“The ancient drainage system was dysfunctional for many years, which requires repair by experts to avoid destruction of the foundation stones of the temple,” Sovanlylin said.
“Removing stone piles in the first gallery and restoring the drainage system is crucial as it helps the rainwater falling from the third floor to flow faster, and to release outside the rainwater flowing on the foundation stones of the temple,” she said. “When bulk water flows into the temple’s foundation stones, it brings sand running through the temple, which could weaken the temple’s foundation.”
APSARA Authority has announced that, because to this restoration work, the road to the entrance to the first gallery of the Bayon will be temporarily closed and reopen at a date to be announced later on.
In the meantime, people can visit the Bayon temple on the west side, next to the area where restoration work is being conducted.
Among other restoration projects, the APSARA Authority archeologists have restored the roof of the Angkor Wat’s eastern gate.
The roof structure of this 900-year-old monument was damaged as some stones had broken apart. Repairing those stones and reassembling them is urgently needed as the eastern gate is the main gate of the Angkor Wat temple.
In the meantime, work at the western gate of Banteay Kdei temple has just been completed after four years of restoration. Visitors can now walk through this beautiful gate to visit the temple.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.
