Tro Moung Temple in Siem Reap being restored by APSARA National Authority

The APSARA National Authority is undertaking an important restoration project for the Tro Moung Temple, located to the west of the Takav gate of Angkor Thom in Siem Reap provincial city.

This temple is one of the four ancient hospitals of Angkor Thom and has suffered significant damage over the years, it pointed out.

According to Mr. Chea Sarith, an archaeologist and site manager, the central tower of Tro Moung Temple has nearly completely collapsed, with only about 20-30 percent of its original structure remaining. The damage includes fallen stones from both the walls and roof, leaving only the front door frame and parts of the southern and eastern sides intact. Additionally, the western and northern sections have lost approximately 50 percent of their stonework.

In response to this extensive damage, the restoration team from the APSARA National Authority has initiated a phased approach to restore and maintain the temple. The first phase involves documenting the current layout of the temple and analysing its construction characteristics and damage to inform repair efforts. 

The second phase focuses on cataloging the scattered stones to determine their function and original placement. Preliminary assessments indicate that there are around 500 stones on the west side and 600 stones on the north side, which have been categorised into various types, including roof stones, wall stones, corner stones, pillars, and blind doors.

Currently, the restoration team is prioritising the strengthening of the foundation of the central tower as part of their efforts to revive this historic structure.