Ah, the Terrace of the Elephants! Welcome to the grand finale of our tour. Now, let me tell you about this magnificent landmark.
Picture this: You're a victorious king, Jayavarman VII, returning from battle with your army. You're feeling pretty important and you need a platform to show off, right? Well, that's exactly what the Terrace of the Elephants was for! It was like the ultimate VIP balcony, attached to the palace of Phimeanakas.
Now, here's the funny thing about this terrace - most of it has disappeared over time. It was mainly made of materials that didn't last, so all we have left are the foundation platforms. But fear not, my friends, because what remains is still stunning!
The highlight of the terrace is its eastern face, where you'll find truly impressive carvings of elephants. Hence the name, Terrace of the Elephants! Those ancient Khmer people sure loved their elephants, didn't they?
This enormous terrace stretches for a whopping 350 meters! Can you imagine the view from up there? It served as a fancy reviewing stand for all sorts of public ceremonies. It was also the base for the king's grand audience hall. Talk about a power move!
Oh, and let's not forget about the outworks. There are five of them, three in the center and one at each end, extending towards the Central Square. The middle section of the retaining wall is decorated with majestic garuda and fierce lions. Towards the ends, you'll see the famous parade of elephants. Yup, complete with their Khmer Mahouts, the elephant trainers.
So, my dear traveler, take a moment to soak in the grandeur of the Terrace of the Elephants. It's a place where kingly triumphs were celebrated, and history was made.
