Lolei

Lolei is a late 9th-century Khmer temple that forms part of the Roluos group near Siem Reap in northwestern Cambodia. The brick sanctuary was originally built on an artificial island in the East Baray and was one of several monuments associated with the royal centre of Hariharalaya.

Architecturally the temple is composed of four brick towers set on a square platform and incorporates typical Angkorian decorative motifs in its brickwork. Today the towers and platform remain as the principal visible elements and the monument is usually visited alongside nearby Roluos group temples.

The temple was commissioned in the late 9th century under the reign of King Yasovarman I as part of the new capital area and functioned as a site of royal and religious performance. Over time the baray silted and the temple’s island setting altered, but the brick sanctuary endures.

Lolei sits in the Roluos archaeological area east of modern Siem Reap town, within Siem Reap province, and is commonly visited on short circuits that include Bakong and Preah Ko.

• Late 9th-century foundation: Built in the late 9th century as part of the Roluos group and associated with the capital Hariharalaya.
• Island in the East Baray: Originally constructed on an artificial island inside the East Baray (a large reservoir), now visible on dry land.

What to See #

• Brick towers and island setting: The temple complex consists of four corner towers on a square brick platform that originally sat on an artificial island within the East Baray.