Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument, located in Cambodia.
The temple was built in the early twelfth century during the reign of Khmer king Suryavarman II. It was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and designed as a royal temple and state centre. Its name is commonly translated as “Temple City” or “City of Temples.”
Angkor Wat’s architecture reflects Mount Meru, the sacred cosmic mountain in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. A central quincunx of towers rises above concentric galleries, moats, and causeways. The outer wall encloses a site measuring roughly 1.5 by 1.3 kilometres, making the complex enormous even by monumental standards.
The temple gradually became a Buddhist site and remains an active place of worship. It forms part of the wider Angkor archaeological region near Siem Reap. The temple’s distinctive towers appear on Cambodia’s national flag, making it a powerful national symbol.