The Royal Palace of Cambodia is not just a beautiful site in Phnom Penh; it is one of the country’s strongest symbols of Khmer identity. Standing along the riverside at Chaktomuk, the meeting point of four rivers, the Mekong, Tonle Sap, Upper Mekong, and Bassac, the palace sits in a location that feels intentionally sacred. The name itself reflects the four-faced Brahma, suggesting protection, balance, and royal authority. Since the 1860s, it has served as the official residence of Cambodia’s monarch.
The palace was first built in 1866 during the reign of King Norodom I, marking Phnom Penh’s return as the capital after centuries of royal relocation following the fall of Angkor. This was also a tense era, as Cambodia faced intense regional pressure from Siam and Vietnam, leading to its status as a French protectorate in 1863. Later, much of the original wooden structure was replaced, and the complex was rebuilt in grand Khmer style between 1912 and 1932 under King Sisowath, shaping the palace visitors recognise today.
Architecturally, the palace is a refined showcase of Khmer design: the defensive wall (kampeng), the Throne Hall (Preah Thineang), the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Preah Keo Morakot), stupas (chedei), soaring spires, and detailed mural paintings. At the same time, it carries traces of colonial history, most notably the Napoleon Pavilion, a cast-iron structure manufactured in Paris in 1875, once known as the “Iron House.”
What makes the palace truly special is that it remains alive. The Moonlight Pavilion still hosts Khmer classical dance, preserving artistry passed down through generations. Temples within the complex continue to be used for prayer and meditation, giving the site deep spiritual meaning beyond its royal image.
Within the palace complex, the Silver Pagoda (Preah Vihear Preah Keo Morakot) houses some of Cambodia’s most sacred national treasures, including its most significant golden Buddha statues. The most remarkable is a life-sized Maitreya Buddha made of solid gold, weighing 90 kilograms and adorned with 9,584 diamonds, commissioned during the reign of King Sisowath. A smaller gold Buddha, weighing 7 kilograms and decorated with 1,863 diamonds, stands nearby. Displayed alongside the revered Emerald Buddha, these statues reflect Cambodia’s transition from Hindu traditions to Theravāda Buddhism and symbolize the deep connection between royal authority, religious devotion, and national identity.
Despite the damage and looting during the Khmer Rouge era (1975–1979), the palace endured, like Cambodia itself. Restoration efforts after 1979 helped revive the complex, allowing it to remain a proud national landmark. Today, as the active residence of the monarchy and a centre of cultural heritage, the Royal Palace stands as a powerful reminder that Khmer civilisation is not just remembered, it continues.