traditional Khmer architecture

Traditional Khmer architecture, exemplified by Angkor Wat, features grand sandstone temples with intricate carvings, extensive bas-reliefs, and towering spires symbolizing Mount Meru, the sacred mountain. Structures are often built with stepped levels, courtyards, and extensive galleries, reflecting spiritual cosmology. The design emphasizes harmony with nature, using natural materials like sandstone and incorporating water elements such as moats. This style combines religious symbolism, engineering brilliance, and artistic detail, creating monumental edifices that serve both spiritual and community functions, and which showcase the Khmer Empire's craftsmanship and cultural identity.