Publisher's Synopsis
At the heart of the Khmer city stands the palace of the gods, a replica on earth of the heavenly world. Built of stone and brick, these monumental temples were erected throughout Thailand between the 7th and 14th centuries to link man magically to the gods. Today, the harmony of these microcosms remains for the visitor following the footsteps of the ancient Khmer.;The beauty of the Khmer legacy in Thailand is presented here for the first time in a single volume, focusing mainly on the temples of the Northeast, where the multitude of structures testify to the rich culture of hundreds of ancient cities which once prospered in this relatively unknown region. Many hitherto unpublished masterpieces of architecture, decorative carving and statuary are displayed in their newly restored state, evocatively photographed by Michael Freeman and authoritatively discussed by Elizabeth Moore and Smitthi Siribhadra. Never before have all the major Khmer sites been collected together with their artfacts into one volume. It is now possible for the first time to appreciate the unique splendour of the Khmer civilization in Thailand, offering artistic and architectural inspiration to all succeeding generations.
