Royal Palace Phnom Penh Cambodia

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The Royal Palace Phnom Penh is the official home to the King of Cambodia, built more than a century ago as his official residence. It is home to the current king and was once home to King Norodom Sihanouk, for which Sihanoukville was named. The palace and connecting Silver Pagoda are included in a walled royal compound that consists of many different buildings, gardens, pavilions, and other structures within that look over onto a scenic waterfront park. 

The building of the Royal Palace Cambodia in 1866 is a relatively new event in national history when comparing it with the history of Cambodia and the Khmer overall. Built in Phnom Penh, the palace is the country’s seat of power but it only became so after centuries of Khmer power. The Khmer first held power in or around Angkor just north of Tonle Sap Lake beginning in 802AD. This lasted until the early part of the 15thcentury when the Khmer moved court from Angkor to Phnom Penh in between 1434 and 1446 (the specific year is widely argued) and remained there for several decades. Shortly after this period, the Khmer moved court again several times; on to Basan, then to Lovek, and finally on to Oudong.

 Phnom Penh became the capital once more later on in the 19thcentury - there is nothing to show any sort of palace in the city prior to this date. Following the French Protectorate in 1863, the capital moved from Oudong to Phnom Penh and the Royal Palace was built.