Vat Phou
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
Causeway, looking towards the sanctuary | |
Interactive map of Vat Phou and Associated Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape | |
| Location | Champasak Province, Laos |
| Criteria | Cultural: (iii)(iv)(vi) |
| Reference | 481 |
| Inscription | 2001 (25th Session) |
| Area | 39,000 ha (96,000 acres) |
| Coordinates | 14°50′54″N 105°49′20″E / 14.84833°N 105.82222°E |
Vat Phou Location of Vat Phou in Laos | |
Vat Phou is a ruined Khmer-Hindu temple complex in southern Laos. There was a sanctuary on the site, centred on a spring and an offering place for a tutelary sprit dating back to pre-historic times. The first megalithic stone structures had been built probably as early as the second century BCE, consisting of two stone cells, a carving of a crocodile, serpent stairs, and offering platforms. One of the pre-Angkor brick buildings onsite was erected in the 7th century and became the focus of consequent building activities.