National Museum of Cambodia

Museum in Phnom Penh

National Museum Of Cambodia
CC BY-SA 4.0 / PsamatheM

The National Museum of Cambodia is the country’s largest museum dedicated to cultural history and serves as a leading center for historical and archaeological preservation. Located in Phnom Penh’s Chey Chumneas district, the museum houses one of the world’s most extensive collections of Khmer art. Its 14,000 artifacts span Cambodia’s history from prehistoric times through the Khmer Empire and beyond.

The museum is situated on Street 10, north of the Royal Palace, and adjacent to Veal Preah Man Square. Its distinctive architecture, inspired by traditional Khmer temple designs, was constructed between 1917 and 1924 and inaugurated in 1920. Under the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the museum aims to promote awareness, appreciation, and education about Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage.

History of National Museum of Cambodia

The museum owes its design and establishment to George Groslier (1887–1945), a historian and curator dedicated to reviving Cambodian arts. He envisioned the museum’s “traditional Khmer” architecture, blending Cambodian temple motifs with colonial influences to create a structure suited to its purpose.

The foundation stone was laid on August 15, 1917, and the museum was inaugurated during Khmer New Year on April 13, 1920, in the presence of King Sisowath and French officials. In 1924, the museum underwent modifications, with wings added to its eastern façade to enhance its grandeur.

After Cambodia gained independence in 1953, the museum came under Cambodian control. The institution became closely linked with the Royal University of Fine Arts, fostering the preservation of traditional arts and archaeology.

During the Khmer Rouge regime (1975–1979), the museum, like the rest of Phnom Penh, was abandoned and fell into disrepair. Its collections suffered extensive damage and theft. The museum reopened on April 13, 1979, but the loss of many staff members and artifacts remains a poignant reminder of that dark period.

Visiting the National Museum of Cambodia

The National Museum of Cambodia is conveniently located on Street 13, just a short distance from the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. Admission fees are modest, and children or school groups can enter free of charge. While photography is not allowed inside the galleries, visitors are welcome to capture images of the stunning courtyard and exterior.

Guided tours in French and English are available for a deeper understanding of the museum’s exhibits. Alternatively, you can purchase a booklet that highlights key artifacts and their significance. The museum shop at the main entrance offers a range of items, including postcards, replica sculptures, and books on Cambodian art and culture.

The museum’s courtyard is a serene retreat, featuring four lotus pools and a lush garden. At its center stands a celebrated statue of the Leper King, identified in Hindu mythology as Yama, the Deity of Death. The surrounding portico is adorned with intricate stone carvings, bas-reliefs, and ornamental lintels. Visitors can also view ancient stelae with inscriptions in Old Khmer and Sanskrit, dating back to the 6th to 11th centuries.

Collections in the National Museum of Cambodia

The museum works closely with the Royal University of Fine Arts to preserve Cambodia’s cultural traditions and foster national pride. Its vast collection includes Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects. The museum also fulfills a religious role, as its collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures serves as a place of worship for the community.

A notable permanent exhibit, Post-Angkorian Buddha, opened in 2000 with support from UNESCO and local benefactors, further extending the museum’s religious and cultural significance.

International Collaboration and Repatriation

The museum actively supports the conservation and repatriation of Cambodian artifacts. It collaborates with foreign governments and philanthropic organizations to safeguard its collections and promote Cambodian culture globally. Since the 1990s, the museum has loaned items for international exhibitions, raising awareness of Khmer art in countries such as Australia, France, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Germany.

Efforts to repatriate looted artifacts have seen significant success. In July 2024, 14 sculptures, including a 10th-century depiction of the goddess Uma from Koh Ker, were returned to Cambodia from the United States. These artifacts, now displayed at the museum, symbolize ongoing efforts to reclaim Cambodia’s cultural heritage.

The National Museum of Cambodia continues to serve as a guardian of the nation’s artistic and historical legacy, offering visitors a profound glimpse into its rich past and enduring cultural identity.

The National Museum of Cambodia appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Phnom Penh!

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Visiting National Museum of Cambodia

Hours:

Daily from 8am to 5pm. Last admission tickets are sold at 4.30pm.

Price:

Adults $5

Address: Preah Ang Eng Street 13, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Telephone: +855 23 217 643

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