Name: Angkor Wat
Address: Cambodia

How it opened

I stand vast and silent on hallowed ground, my stone face turned toward the setting sun.

The five clues

01A monument born of devotion, transformed by centuries of faith into something entirely new.
02In Southeast Asia's jungle heart, within an ancient capital's embrace, I occupy 162.6 hectares of sacred space.
03Constructed between 1113 and 1150 CE under King Suryavarman II, I was dedicated to Vishnu before becoming a Buddhist sanctuary.
04The world's largest religious complex sits in Siem Reap, Cambodia, distinguished by my unusual westward orientation among my temple peers.
05My intricate bas-reliefs and monumental scale represent Khmer architectural mastery, and I appear on Cambodia's national flag.

The answer

Angkor Wat

Cambodia · Asia

About this place

Built during the reign of the Khmer king Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, Angkor Wat rose between 1113 and 1150 CE as a testament to divine craftsmanship. From the late 13th century onward, the complex gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple, reflecting the spiritual evolution of the Khmer people. Today, this 162.6-hectare masterpiece of monumental scale and extensive bas-reliefs stands as the world's largest religious complex and an enduring symbol of Cambodia itself.

Geography

Angkor Wat stands near Siem Reap in Cambodia, within the historic Angkor region on mainland Southeast Asia. The complex covers a spacious plot of roughly 162.6 hectares. Notably, its main entrance faces west, a departure from the eastward orientation typical of neighboring Angkorian shrines, giving the site a distinctive layout within its surrounding lowland setting.

History

Construction took place under King Suryavarman II, spanning the years 1113 to 1150, when the site was built as a Hindu sanctuary honoring the god Vishnu. Later, beginning in the late thirteenth century, the temple gradually shifted toward Buddhist use, adopting Theravada practices. This transformation allowed it to endure as a place of worship long after its Hindu origins, blending two religious traditions across centuries.

Notable features

Recognized as the largest religious complex on earth, Angkor Wat impresses through its sheer scale and the intricate carved reliefs covering its walls. Its architecture displays a coherence and balance considered a hallmark of Khmer building traditions. Beyond its religious role, the temple functions as a defining emblem of Cambodian identity, prominently depicted on the national flag and recognized worldwide as an icon of the country's heritage.

Fact sheet

Country: Cambodia
Continent: Asia
Coordinates: 13.412, 103.867
Founded: 1200

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