Founded by King Isanavarman I during the seventh century, Sambo Prei Kuh was once the capital of Chenla known as Isanapura, and was a religious center dedicated to the worship of Shiva.

Collectively, the complex consists of more than a hundred temples built of solid bricks, laterite and sandstone and from the remains. It is understood that several successions of kings have maintained this site as their capital, each time adding more temples and monuments to the capital city.