Ta Prohm isn’t only tree roots, however, it has lovely relief carvings throughout the complex maze-like structures. You find little gems like this at every turn. The dilapidated condition of this site makes it a mystery to wander through, with passageways blocked by fallen stone or trees, and many buildings without much light, making it difficult to navigate.
Built as a Buddhist Monastery by King Jayavarmen VII, it is one of the larger sites at Angkor, measuring about 700m by 1,000 m.
It was rich, owning 3,140 villages. It had a staff of 79,365 people to maintain it, including 18 high priests, 2,740 officials, 2,202 assistants and 615 dancers. It owned a set of golden dishes weighing 500kg, 35 diamonds, 40,620 pearls, 4,540 precious stones, 876 veils from China, 512 silk beds and 523 parasols. All this data was found on a stone tablet glorifying the wealth of the monastery.