Angkor Thom ("Great Capital") was built at the end of the 12th/beginning of the 13th century at the behest of King Jayavarman VII as the new capital of the Angkor Empire. The preserved buildings and ruins are located about 7 km north of the city of Siem Reap or about 1 km north of the famous temple of Angkor Wat.
The Khmer king Jayavarman VII incorporated the old buildings into his new capital. Thus, the royal palace with Phimeanaka's temple pyramid was located in the northwestern quarter. He and his successors supplemented this ensemble with the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, the Great Square, the row of towers Prasat Suor Prat and a Victory Avenue. The older, overwhelmingly large temple mount Baphuon and two hall-like structures, the northern and southern Khleang, were also integrated into the overall plan. In the geometric centre of Angkor Thom, cut out and framed by the streets, the state temple Bayon was built with its forest of face towers. Apart from the temples and terraces, all the city's buildings were made of wood (including the royal palace) and have disappeared today.
