Description : Longvek or Lavek (Khmer: លង្វែក pronounced or ល្វែក pronounced ; meaning "intersection" or "crossroads") was a city in ancient Cambodia. It was the second capital city during the Cambodia's Middle Ages which began after the Khmer Empire's Angkor Era. The city was known to early European traders as "Cambodia". Longvek was chosen by King Ang Chan I (Ponhea Chan) after the sacking of Angkor by the Siamese as a new capital because of its more readily defensible terrain. As a result, there was a time when Cambodia was often referred to as Longvek by foreign travellers. After Ang Chan I defeated Sdach Kon he changed the capital city from Chaktomuk to Longvek in 1528. This new city was the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia from 1528 to 1594. This city was sacked by the Siamese (Thai) in 1594 and then the Thai king chose his son to reign over Cambodia in 1594. Longvek was one of the greatest cities in Cambodia.
See on map »