Restoration of Banteay Samre Temple’s Terrace Starts

The APSARA National Authority, in collaboration with the GIZ of Germany, has kick-started the restoration of the terrace of the Banteay Samre Temple in Siem Reap province.

A religious ceremony was held yesterday afternoon for the success of the restoration project, according to the authority.

Mr. Long Nary, a stone conservation expert of the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology, said that the ceremony was aimed at obtaining permission from the owner of the sacred land, which maintains the eastern terrace of Banteay Samre Temple, to avoid any accident during the restoration process.

He added that the eastern terrace of Banteay Samre, built of sandstone in the mid-12th century, had some damage, such as the foundations collapsing, and some stones missing. The naga balustrade was almost completely cracked, and the lion statues were also damaged.

During the religious ceremony, there was also training for 20 architecture students from Build Bright University and Angkor University in Siem Reap to understand the ancient construction and stone conservation work with the restoration team of GIZ working at Banteay Samre Temple.

The students will be able to practice on-site, focusing on drawing the structure of the temple to learn how to restore the stone carvings of the temple, know the scattered stones, study the stone gaps, and observe challenges.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press