Sambor Prei Kuk, 2017 World Heritage Site

Sambor Prei Kuk is a cultural and historical site situated in Sambor village, Sambor commune, Prasat Sambo district, around 25 kilometers northeast of Kampong Thom provincial town. The site was before an old capital called Isanapura and a religious place for the love of Shiva Brahmanism.    

Numerous temples were constructed in Sambor Prei Kuk amid the reign of King Isanavarman I (AD 616-635) in the seventh century. The temples of Sambor Prei Kuk built of strong brick, laterite and sandstone and embellished by bas-reliefs. The lintel, pillars and the door frames are altogether made of sandstone. Up until this point, 140 temples have been found in the timberland.    

Sambor Prei Kuk, situated close Kompong Thom, 150km south-east of Siem Reap, lies off the main road towards Cambodia's city Phnom Penh. Sambor Prei Kuk is a collection of ancient temple ruins scattered inside a shady woods. Initially called Isanapura, it pre-dates Angkor Wat and was the capital city amid the rule of King Isana Varman 1, the child of King Citrasena. Constructed toward the finish of the sixth century, the remnants are touted to be a portion of the most established structures in the country, covering a region of 5 square kilometers.    

Around 100 small temples are scattered all through the forest. Left in the open and maintain, a portion of the structures are quite recently minor remnants of their unique building, maybe a broken wall here, a vine-choked edifice there. There are 52 temples in conspicuous condition, and another 52 destinations where the original structures are currently buried in the ground, unmistakable just as small hills.    

The main temple group known as Prasat Sambor is devoted to Gambhireshvara, one of Shiva's many structures. A portion of the towers still hold their carvings. Many are insignificant destroys now secured by vegetation.    

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts officially announced the registration of Sambor Prei Kuk Resort as the World Heritage by UNESCO, as indicated by the declaration dated July 9 2017.    

The choice was made at the World Heritage Committee's 41st Summit in Krakow, Poland on July 8, 2017, with the participation of 193 member countries.    

"This success reflects the efforts of the government in conserving and developing heritage in a sustainable manner," the ministry wrote in the announcement. "This is another national pride that "Sambor Prei Kuk" has been listed as a World Heritage Site, thanks to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and relevant departments, together with officials and authorities at all levels who have made efforts to preserve and make the site the world's heritage," Cambodian primary minister wrote on Facebook on Sunday.