The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace, Preah Barum Reachea Veang Nei Preah Reacheanachak Kampuchea), in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is a complex of buildings which serves as the royal residence of the king of Cambodia. Its full name in the Khmer language is Preah Barum Reachea Veang Chaktomuk Serei Mongkol. The Kings of Cambodia have occupied it since it was built in 1860s, with a period of absence when the country came into turmoil during and after the reign of the Khmer Rouge.

The palace was constructed after King Norodom relocated the royal capital from Oudong to Phnom Penh in the mid-19th century. It was built atop an old citadel called Banteay Kev. It faces towards the East and is situated at the Western bank of the cross division of the Tonle Sap River and the Mekong River called Chaktomuk (an allusion to Brahma). Cambodia's Royal Palace, located along Sothearos Boulevard, was built in 1866, during the reign of King Norodom. Points of interest inside the palace include:

Prasat Tevea Vinichhay (the Throne Hall): The hall where Kings and Queens are crowned.

Prasat Khemarin: The hall where the monarchs live.

Prasat Samran Phirum: The hall where the throne objects and accessories are kept.

Chan Chhaya: The hall where Royal Dance performers train. In front of the Chan Chhaya, there is a platform where the king can hold audiences with his subjects and all levels of officials.

WAT PREAH KEO MORAKOT (THE SILVER PAGODA)

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, "Temple of the Emerald-Crystal Buddha") which is commonly shortened to Wat Preah Keo.

The vihara houses many national treasures including gold and jeweled Buddha statues. Most notable is a small 17th century baccarat crystal Buddha (the "Emerald Buddha" of Cambodia) 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.

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.

KEUNG PREAH BAT

Keung Preah bat houses the footprints of the four Buddhas who have already reached enlightenment. those Buddhas are Kok Santhor, Neak Komonor, Kasabor and Samonkodom. in addition to the four Buddhas who have reached enlightenment, there is one Boddha, Preah Srei Araymetrey, whom Buddhists believe has not yet been born. they believe that he will come 5,000 years after the fourth Buddha reaches nirvana. Buddhists believe that Preah Srei Araymetrey will come and help the people.

PHNOM KHAN MALINEATI BORAPAT KAILASHA

Phnom Khan Malineati Borapat Kailasha or Phnom Mondul is the Buddha left his footprints on the stone. on the Phnom Mondul, there is a statue of the Buddha and 108 blessings of life before the Buddha reaches enlightenment. 

KUNTHABOPHA STUPA

Kunthabopha Stupa was built in 1960 as the resting place for the ashes of princess Norodom Kunthabopha, the daughter of king Norodom Sihanouk. she was 4 years old when she died of dengue fever. the stupa’s design is based on the ancient Banteay srei temple in Siem Reap.

West of Preah Vihear Preah Keo Morakot is a bell hall. the bell is used in various ceremonies and to mark the opening and closing of the silver pagoda. in the past, the bell was also used to call the monks who studied Pali in the palace. to the north, is a building that houses Tipitaka, the fundamental scriptural canon of Buddhist.