Towers of Banteay Top

One of the surviving towers at Banteay Top in northwest Cambodia

Banteay Top, with its unique wooden beams and ceiling remnants, is a ruin, though its five large towers still remain upright in varying degrees, arranged around its central tower and connecting galleries. It's constructed of sandstone and is likely dated from the 13th century in the Bayon architectural style. Whilst little decorative carving remains to be seen today, it's the size and location of the temple, surrounded by a moat, rice fields and near to a massive baray, that makes it worth the effort to visit. I first saw it in November 2001 and its solitude and stillness stayed with me at that time. The arrival of a coachload of Hanuman employees on this occasion, shattered those memories, albeit temporarily. Its a great place to scramble over the fallen blocks of sandstone and some of the more adventurous in our party climbed the rather precarious looking tower in the last photo. Not something I would encourage. Whilst we were there, two other smaller parties of Khmer tourists arrived and reminded me that even the more remote temples are now accessible and on the beaten path these days.

The central tower of Banteay Top contains the remnants of the wooden ceiling

This tower had variations of colour in its sandstone blocks and a bee's nest above the doorway

Another view of one of the surviving towers at Banteay Top

A precarious looking tower, like a finger pointing skywards, at Banteay Top