Chapel of the Hospital
Arogyasala, Ancient Ruins of Angkor, Cambodia
The sight is located within Angkor. To prepare for your visit, read the AsiaExplorers Angkor Travel Guide for useful information. Visitors to Angkor stay at the town of Siem Reap. If you are looking for budget accommodation in Siem Reap, use the Cambodia Budget Accommodation Guide to find a place to stay.
Built in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII
Chapels of the Hospital, or Arogyasala (or "houses for the sick") are a small chapel located not far from the capital gates in Angkor. The Chapel of the Hospital, located opposite Ta Keo, is one of two chapels that can be easily explored; the other is Ta Prohm Kel near Angkor Wat.
Chapel of the Hospital, near Ta Keo.
Hospitals have been established in the Angkor area as early as the reign of Yashovarman I (ca. 889-907AD), but it was Jayavarman VII who was credited for making a special effort to ensure that they are run smoothly. The Chapel of the Hospital at Ta Keo is a small sandstone monument built by Jayavarman VII in Angkor Thom. The hospital themselves have long disappeared, and only the chapel now remains.
The sanctuary of this chapel faces the east. Its other sides are adorned with false doors. This being the work of Jayavarman VII, the decoration is similar to that of the Bayon. A drainage channel, called somasutra, takes lustral water out of the sanctuary through its northern wall, just like at Ta Prohm Kel. Scattered on the ground around the chapel monument are fragments of pediments and lintels carved with scenes from Buddhism.
How to go to the Chapel of the Hospital
The Chapel of the Hospital is 150 meters direct west of Ta Keo. Follow the direction to Ta Keo, and then look for it on the opposite side of the road. The Chapel of the Hospital is an insignificant Angkor site, and is unlikely to be featured in the itinerary of packaged tours. You most likely have to explore it on your own. My own tuk tuk driver Mr Han was able to take me to it, so if you require his services, you can try to contact him, Mr Han (contact details below), to see if he is available to take you.
Chapel of the Hospital front view.
Chapel of the Hospital in the clearing.
Angkor, Unesco World Heritage Site
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Siem Reap Travel Guide
If you are visiting Angkor, it's almost definite that you will be staying in a hotel or guesthouse in Siem Reap. You will probably also need to hire a tuk tuk to take you around. Click the thumbnail on the left to view vital details to make your stay in Siem Reap more pleasant.
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