Halfway between Angkor Wat (Cambodia), to the south, and Phimai, to the northwest, the temple of Phanom Rung occupied a strategic location - the complex was completed by the lower temple of Muang Tham, built at the foot of the mountain. Oriented on an east-west axis, Phanom Rung obeyed the codes of architectural symbolism in Khmer art which was inherited from India: its magnificent central prang features elements representing Mount Meru. Started in the 10C, the construction of Phanom Rung continued over three centuries. Restored and expanded, the temple combines various artistic styles, from that of the Baphuon temple (10C) to Angkor Wat itself (12C). A true masterpiece!