The National Museum of Cambodia , located in the heart of Phnom Penh, is the premier showcase for Khmer art and archaeology. Opened in 1920, it houses more than 14,000 works—sculptures, ceramics, bronzes—spanning nearly 2,000 years of history, from the early Funan Kingdom to the end of the Angkorian Empire . A true symbol of Cambodia's cultural renaissance, it attracts art lovers, researchers, and tourists from around the world every year.
Architecture inspired by traditional Khmer style
Genesis and construction
Designed by French architect George Groslier (1877–1945), the museum's founder, the building combines red brick and stepped roofs inspired by the temples of Angkor . It was inaugurated in 1920 under the aegis of the Governor-General of Indochina, marking the first institution dedicated to Khmer antiquities.
Renovations and extensions
After damage during the civil war and the Khmer Rouge period, the museum benefited, since the 1990s, from extensive restoration work supported by UNESCO and several NGOs, restoring it to its original splendor.
The collections: a journey through 2,000 years of history
Stone sculptures
The core of the collection consists of Angkorian sandstone sculptures (9th–15th centuries): bas-reliefs of Vishnu , lintels from Banteay Srei , Buddha statues from Bayon and Angkor Wat . Each work illustrates the finesse and spirituality of Khmer goldsmithing.
Bronzes and ceramics
Bronze votive objects—Hindu deities and bodhisattvas—testify to the expertise of the royal workshops. Funanian ceramics (1st–6th centuries), unearthed during excavations, shed light on the region's earliest trade.
Traditional arts and ethnography
One wing is dedicated to traditional costumes, musical instruments and agricultural tools, offering a panorama of contemporary Cambodian daily life and rituals.
Exceptional loan to the Guimet Museum in Paris
As part of the exhibition " Royal Bronzes of Angkor, an Art of the Divine " presented at the National Museum of Asian Arts - Guimet from April 30 to September 8, 2025, the National Museum of Cambodia has exceptionally loaned 126 major pieces. Among them, the Reclining Vishnu of the Western Mebon and several dvarapalas, restored in 2024 thanks to the patronage of the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH). This gesture strengthens cultural cooperation between Phnom Penh and Paris, allowing the European public to rediscover these Khmer treasures in an exceptional chronological journey.
Research, conservation and mediation
Documentation center and laboratories
The museum has a research center with restoration laboratories where fragile pieces are studied and preserved, in partnership with the French School of the Far East and UNESCO.
Educational workshops and guided tours
Children's workshops, thematic visits ( Khmer architecture, Buddhist iconography) and regular conferences help to raise awareness among the local and international public about Cambodian heritage.
H2 Practical information for the visit
- Address : 13 Preah Norodom Street, Phnom Penh
- Opening hours : every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays)
- Cost : approximately US$10, free for children under 12 and students (proof required)
- Access : tuk-tuk or taxi from the city center, regular shuttles from hotels
H2 Why visit the National Museum of Cambodia?
- Authenticity : The largest repository of Khmer art, in geographical and historical location.
- Context : Located near the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom, it is part of a major cultural circuit of Phnom Penh.
- Cultural Renaissance : Symbolizes resilience and the preservation of Cambodian identity after decades of conflict.
- Research and training : Recognized academic center for Khmer studies and Southeast Asian archaeology.
Conclusion
The National Museum of Cambodia remains an essential stop for understanding the richness and diversity of Khmer art. Thanks to its prestigious collections, its work for the conservation and the highlighting of its treasures through international loans such as that of the Guimet Museum , it remains the guardian of Cambodian heritage and a key player in its global influence.