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Phnom Penh’s Architecture 101
Through Phnom Penh’s exquisite and beautiful architecture, you can feel the breath of Cambodian history.

Phnom Penh Royal Palace

The intricate, beautiful architecture of Phnom Penh offers an up-close experience of Cambodia’s history. There is more to the architectural beauty of Cambodia than Angkor Wat. Two examples are symbolic structures in Phnom Penh, the country’s capital.

Khmer’s glittery golds and silvers: Phnom Penh Royal Palace
The most eye-catching historical relic in Phnom Penh is, indisputably, the Phnom Penh Royal Palace. After the capital city was moved from Odon to Phnom Penh, the palace was built between 1866 and 1870 by decree of King Norodom (r. 1860-1904). Constructed in a traditional Khmer architectural style, the palace buildings are highly recognizable due to their glittering roofs and triangular gable-boards that feature gilt ornaments depicting mythical animals and various Hindu gods. The palace is made up of over ten buildings on an area covering nearly 175,000 square meters, including Khemarin Palace, the royal residence, and the Throne Hall, which was used to receive foreign delegations. Cambodia’s kings have strived for centuries to restore the beauty of Khmer art. The Silver Pagoda, first constructed in 1892, was renovated in 1962, during the reign of King Norodom Sihanouk (r. 1941-1955, 1993-2004), to take on the majestic scale that we are familiar with today. In the process, its floor was inlaid with over 5,300 silver tiles, made of over six tons of silver by Khmer silversmiths. The Chan Chhaya Pavilion has no walls and often features traditional Khmer dance performances.

To be remembered forever: Independence Monument
The Independence Monument, which stands tall at the intersection of Norodom Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard, was constructed to commemorate the country’s independence from French colonial rule. It is a masterpiece that showcases prominent Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann’s blend of the traditional aesthetic of Khmer architecture and modern elements. (Molyvann was a leader of Cambodia’s New Khmer Architecture movement during the 1950s and 1960s.) One of the monument’s defining features is its top, which is shaped like a lotus flower, much like Angkor Wat’s lotus flower pagodas. On Independence Day, which is celebrated each year on November 9, one of the ceremonies held involves the king placing a lit torch inside the monument.