After a better night’s rest I felt up to taking the morning excursion to the exquisite Royal Palace in central Phnom Penh – the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Tonlé Sap (See separate posting on this great lake) and Mekong Rivers, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since French colonisation of Cambodia and has grown to become the nation's centre of economic and industrial activities, as well as the centre of security, politics, cultural heritage, and diplomacy in Cambodia.
Founded in 1434, the city was once known as the "Pearl of Asia," and considered to be one of the loveliest French-built cities in Indochina dating from the 1920s. Many French colonial buildings survive today, scattered along grand boulevards.
Phnom Penh is home to about 2.2 million of Cambodia's population of over 14.8 million and is the wealthiest and most populous city in Cambodia and the country's political hub.
The Royal Palace is a complex of buildings and the royal residence of the king of Cambodia. The Kings of Cambodia have occupied it since it was built in 1866, with a period of absence when the country declined into turmoil during and after the reign of the Khmer Rouge.
The Silver Pagoda is a compound located on the South side of the palace complex. Its main building houses many national treasures such as gold and jewelled Buddha statues. Most notable is a small 17th century baccarat crystal Buddha (the "Emerald Buddha" of Cambodia) and a near-life-size, Maitreya Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds dressed in royal regalia commissioned by King Sisowath. During King 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 remodelled with Italian marble.
The Throne Hall (See first photo), or Preah Thineang Dheva Vinnichay Mohai Moha Prasat, means the "Sacred Seat of Judgement."
It is where the king's confidants, generals and royal officials once carried out their duties and remains in use today as a place for religious and royal ceremonies (such as coronations and royal weddings) as well as a meeting place for guests of the King. The cross-shaped building is crowned with three spires. The central, 59-metre spire is topped with a white, four-faced head of Brahma. The Throne Hall contains three royal thrones (one is more of western style and the other two are traditional) and golden busts of Cambodians kings and queens. This Throne Hall is the second to be built on this site. The first was constructed but demolished in 1915. The present building was constructed in 1917 and inaugurated by King Sisowath in 1919.
The Moonlight Pavilion (Second photo) serves as an open-air stage for Khmer classical dance performed by Royal Dancers, as speaking platform for the King to address the crowds and as a place to hold state and Royal banquets.
The Khemarin Palace ("Palace of the Khmer King”)(See 3rd photo) is the official residence of the King of Cambodia. This compound is separated from other buildings by a small wall and is located to the right of the Throne Hall. The main building is topped with a single spired prang (A tall tower-like spire).
The last photo is of a naga (Seven headed snake) guarding the balustrade to the stairway. You may recall that I commented in an earlier posting that the use of snakes on balustrades reminded me of similar sculptures in the Mayan cities of South America.
It was a beautiful sunny morning with plenty of shade and although feeling “rather thin” I greatly enjoyed the visit to this magnificent palace.
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