Siem Reap: Experts from the Apsara National Authority have been working since early November 2024 to restore the second gallery of Angkor Wat temple, which had completely collapsed. The goal is to stabilize and reconstruct the gallery to its original form.
The restoration team has already made significant progress, repairing several structural components. While the work is not yet complete, visible changes show the gallery’s structural elements beginning to stand again, marking a stark improvement compared to its pre-restoration state.
According to Kham Muni, an expert from the Apsara National Authority, the damaged structures include columns, floor slabs, pillars, and naga balustrades. He explained that critical components of the gallery were either lost or cracked, and previous restoration efforts were substandard, contributing to the current challenges.
A major obstacle lies in correcting issues caused by improper restoration techniques during the French colonial period. Many of the temple’s pillars were displaced and incorrectly replaced, particularly the naga balustrade pillars, which did not match the originals. As a result, the team has spent considerable time identifying and repositioning these original pillars.
The restoration process involves dismantling damaged sections of the gallery, repairing broken stones, and removing cement from earlier restoration attempts. Missing elements, such as naga balustrade pillars, columns, and floor slabs, are being carefully replaced to restore the gallery’s integrity.
In addition to physical repairs, the team is meticulously studying the gallery’s structural components to ensure they are restored according to the original design. However, Kham Muni noted that an exact completion date for the project cannot yet be determined.
Despite the challenges, the team is committed to expediting the restoration process, aiming to reopen the second gallery to tourists in the near future.
