Elephant Terrace

This huge ceremonial space, known today as the Elephant Terrace, runs from north to south for a distance of 300m – that's three American football fields. Our view is from the north, looking south towards the Bayon.

Built by Jayavarman VII with additions by later kings, the terrace is a U-shaped open area, surrounded by a 10' high platform that supported the king's audience pavilions (which, being made of wood, have not survived) and reviewing stands. Its centerpiece is a high rostrum (lower photo), with elephants and a lotus seat, that overlooks the terrace and faces east (left, from our perspective) towards Jayavarman's Victory Gate.