A week in Cambodia -11/18/2023-11/24/2023

Phnom Penh -11/20/2023

Day 3-Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is a complex of buildings which serves as the official royal residence of the King of Cambodia.  It is a striking complex near the riverfront and located in the city center of Phnom Penh.  The Royal Palace was built in 1866 after King Norodom relocated the capital from Oudong to Phnom Penh. The official Khmer name is Preah Chaktomuk Barom Reachea Vaeng Chaktomuk.  King Norodom's palace was demolished and rebuilt by his successor, his half-brother King Sisowath, between 1912 and 1919, and today the only sizeable remains are the eastern section of the wall and the Napoleon Pavilion.  The western courtyard is still private, and it is here that the king has his private residential villa, the Khemarin, as well as the Villa Kantha Bopha to accommodate foreign guests.

Riverfront Promenade.  The Royal palace is just across the street.

We are headed toward the Royal Palace.  With its classic Khmer roofs and ornate gilding, the Royal Palace once dominated the skyline of Phnom Penh

The Chanchhaya Pavilion also known as the Moolight Pavilion dominates the facade of the Palace on Sothearos Boulevard.  It was constructed in 1913 under King Siswath and serves as venue for the Royal Dancers as a tribute for the King to address the crowd and it is also a place where state and royal banquets are held. 

Visitors enter into the eastern portion of the palace compound.

As soon as you enter there is an open  long corridor leading to the entrance of the Royal Palace.

The first thing you see when entering the premise is the Throne Hall that you see on the right.

Panoramic view.

Panoramic view of the Phochani Pavilion (left), in the center is the Damnakj Chan, and the Throne Hall on the right.

The Phochani Pavilion is an open hall originally constructed as a classical dance theater.  The Pavillion is currently used for Royal receptions and meetings.  It was built in 1912.

The Phochani Pavillion is currently used for Royal receptions and meetings.  It was built in 1912.

The Damnak Chan currently housed the administrave offices of the Royal Palace.  Original constructed in 1953 for the High Council of the Throne, this building has served several purposes over the years including acting as the Ministry of Culture in the 80s and housing the Supreme National Council of Cambodia from 1991-93. Damnak Chan displays a mix of Khmer and Western architectural styles, with a distinctly Khmer-style roof and a Western style in the main body of the building. It is closed to the public.

The Throne Hall is a large structure and is the centerpiece of the Royal Palace and is used for significant royal ceremonies.

The garden is well maninucred and so pretty.

In the center is the Khemarin Palace building serves as the official residence of the Cambodian king and this is where King Norodom Sihamoni stays at present.  While visitors cannot enter the palace itself, it is srurrounded by beautifully manicured gardens

The Moonligh Pavilionwas a part of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh during its initial days, it was later demolished and reconstructed under the rule of King Sisowath. The original pavilion featured wooden construction, but the modern footprint is drastically different in terms of construction and scale.

The Moonlight Pavilion view from inside the courtyard.  The pavilion hosts royal and state banquets as well and it was used during the coronation of Norodom Sihamoni, the current king of Cambodia.

The Throne Hall, with its gold tiled roof, remains a symbol of royal power and is still used for official ceremonies like coronations, royal weddings and receiving important guests. Rebuilt in 1917, its 59-meter golden stupa-like tower soars over the palace complex and is under rennovation at this time. 

Stairs leading to the Throne Hall

Guardian lion along the stairway representing royalty, strength, and courage, was the personal symbol of the Khmer kings, who were believed to be gods as well. 

The Naga is often depicted in Khmer art and sculpture as a serene figure seated in meditation atop the coils of a seven-headed Naga. This iconic representation symbolizes the Buddha's triumph over the forces of ignorance and delusion, as well as his ability to subdue the destructive impulses of the human mind.

We can only view the interior of the Throne hall from the main doorway.

The throne hall was used for the coronation of the king on his coronation day.

The ceiling is decorated with brilliant motifs describing the legend Reamker.

Intricate door carving next the main entrance of the Throne Hall.

Adorned with intricate carvings and gilded accents, the Throne Hall is a magnificent sight to behold.

On top of the roof you can see that the spire is under renovation

Entrance to the Silver Pagoda located on the South side.

Beautiful and colorful flowers along the side of the entrance.

Ramayana Frescoes The interior of the pagoda compound walls is covered with murals depicting stories from the Reamker, i.e. the Khmer version of the classic Indian epic, the Ramayana.

Reamker is a Cambodian epic poem based on Sanskrits' Reamayana epic.  Reamker adapts the Hindu ideas of the Ramayana to Buddhist themes and shows the balance of good and evil in the world.

Some sections of the murals are deteriorated and weather damaged.

The murals were painted in 1903-1904 by a team of students working under the direction of artist Vichitre Chea and architect Oknha Tep Nimit Thneak. In the 30s the galleries served as ad hoc classrooms for Buddhist monks.

Mural depicting sotires of the Reamker.

Next...The Royal Palace continuation