Pre Rup is architecturally both an end as well as a starting point. With Pre Rup, the architectural journey had come to an end; at last, the final proportion of the Khmer temple in quincux-style was reached. Quincux means 5 towers, 1 central tower surrounded by 4 towers at each corner. The layout of the temple is straightforward and refinement is not an applicable term here, with the possible exception of the quality of the lintels. My impression was that Pre Rup consisted of the base pyramid of Bakong combined with the (brick) towers of Preah Ko, both at Roluos near Angkor. A wide, easy to climb stairs leads to the subsequent layers, the towers are sparsely decorated. The material used fot this temple is laterite and brick, much less advanced compared to the sandstone used for Takeo. Most of the time the sun shines harsh on it, so visiting early or late on the day is recommended. Nevertheless, most tourists reach Pre Rup around noon and most are not disappointed.
The importance of this temple is simply the fact that the composition with 5 towers is a starting point for many temples following this one, eventually culminating in the climax of Khmer architectural art with Angkor Wat. Therefore, Pre Rup needs to be mentioned as a milestone in Khmer art. As the picture of the lintel on the left shows, the technique of carving was already at a very high level, not inferior to the ultimate refinement at Banteay Srei. In fact, the carving-technique was more advanced than the building technique.
When the builder of Pre Rup, Rajendravarman, came to power the capital of the Khmer empire was at Koh Ker. He moved it back to Angkor; his first project was the Mebon in the east Baray. East Mebon looks similar to Pre Rup and it might have been an exercise. Rajandravarman also built the innovative royal bath of Sras Srang and, most important, the west Baray. With the latter, he enormously increased the agricultural potential, laying the foundation for the large expansion of the Khmer empire by his successors. Therefore, Rajendravarman can be acknowledged as one of the greater kings of the Khmer.
