Banteay Srei literaly translated as (citadel of the women), it was built at a time when the Khmer Empire as gaining significant power and territory, constructed by a Brahmin conselor under a powerful king, Rajendravarman, and later under Jayavarman 5. The temple display some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art the wall densely covered with some of the most beautiful, deep and intricate carvings of any Angkorian temple, small size , pink sandstone construction and ornate design give a fairyland ambience.

The temple was only rediscovered in 1914 by French archaeologists and was famously looted by a man who would later become the French Minister for Cutural Affairs. apprehended in 1923 or hacking off four devatas. Between 1931 and 1936 Henri Marchal of the EFEO, borrowing techniques he has observed in Java at Borobudur.