Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh

Description

The Silver Pagoda is located on the south side of the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh. Formerly, it was known as Wat Ubosoth Ratanaram. The temple's official name is Preah Vihear Preah Keo Morakot (Khmer: ព្រះវិហារព្រះកែវមក៌ត, "Temple of the Emerald-Crystal Buddha") which is commonly shortened to Wat Preah Keo (Khmer: វត្តព្រះកែវ) in Khmer.

The vihara houses many national treasures including gold and jeweled Buddha statues. Most notable is a small green crystal Buddha (the "Emerald Buddha" of Cambodia) — some sources maintain it was made of Baccarat Crystal in 17th century but that's not possible since Baccarat Crystal didn't exist until 18th century; other sources indicate it was made in 19th century by Lalique, a glass designer who lived in 19th-20th century, what makes more sense taking into account that the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh was built using the Bangkok's Grand Palace as a model so the Bangkok's Emerald Buddha would be copied at the same time; but there are not reliable sources — and a life-sized gold Maitreya Buddha decorated with 9584 diamonds, the largest of which weighs 25 carats. It was created in the palace workshops during 1906 and 1907, the gold Buddha weighs in at 90 kg and is dressed in royal regalia commissioned by King Sisowath. During King Norodom Sihanouk's pre-Khmer Rouge reign, the Silver Pagoda was inlaid with more than 5,000 silver tiles and some of its outer facade was remodeled with Italian marble. However, only a small area of these tiles are available to be viewed by the public on entering the pagoda.

The wall that surrounds the structures is covered with murals of the Reamker painted in 1903-1904 by Cambodian artists directed by the architect of the Silver Pagoda Oknha Tep Nimit Mak.

It is a notable wat (Buddhist temple) in Phnom Penh; Its grounds being used for various national and royal ceremonies. The cremated remains of Norodom Sihanouk are interred in the stupa of Kantha Bopha located on the temple's compound.

Street view

Reviews

05.10.2021 Local
This is one of the greatest site that tourists shouldn't be missed when entering Royal Palace. Unlike ordinary pagoda, this ancient Buddhist temple comprises of many valuable Khmer national treasures such as gold Buddha statue, priceless Emerald Buddha statue etc. The floor is made using about 8 tons of silver tiles and some of the statue even consists of thousands of diamonds. Tourist must take off the shoes when entering the temple.
05.10.2021 Narath
The Silver Pagoda is one of the iconic building (inside Royal Palace) of Phnom Penh. A place not to miss when you visit Phnom Penh.
05.10.2021 Chan
Known as Silver Pagoda, this pagoda consists silver tiles and the valuable emerald Buddha which was sat in the center of the building. Another noticeable in this pagoda is the life size gold Buddha.
05.10.2021 africanstyle
Silver floor almost carpet covered, it was terrible there was no wall painting is in very good condition. value. Miniature Angkor Wat.
05.10.2021 Cuong
The floor is a lot of silver too, in the temple also have the gold anymore. Recognized Cabodia have many gold, silver damage.
05.10.2021 Luke
A place with interesting architecture that allows you to understand the Buddhism culture in Cambodia, with numerous artifacts housed within the temple, surrounded by royal tombs.
05.10.2021 keomorakort
A worship place inside the royal palace. The floor is covered by silver and Buddha status was created by very precious gem stone.
05.10.2021 Mark
I wanted to see but the price drove me away. It costs $10 per person. Over priced compared to everything else in Phnom Penh.
05.10.2021 Josh
The temple with the silver foor is pretty cool to see but the floor is all covered!!! Plus the entry to the complex is very expensive....
05.10.2021 Chamnan
A MUST-to visit place in Phnom Penh. The Silver Pagoda located inside the Royal Place compound, and the entrance fee also included within the fee of Royal Place. All items that are displayed inside are real such as gold, silver, bronze etc. You have to know that there's a big Buddha statue with weight 90kg of gold surrounding by 2080 daimonds. And why naming the Silver Temple, even no monk inside? Because that place for king to behave the Buddha's. If you look to the ground inside the temple, you will see the real peace of 5329 silver tiles (1.125 kg per tile).
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