Silver Pagoda

Overview

The Silver Pagoda, officially named Wat Preah Keo Morokat (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), sits within the Royal Palace compound. Its floor is paved with over 5,000 silver tiles, each weighing about one kilogram, and the temple houses Cambodia's most sacred Buddhist artefacts.

Highlights

• Emerald Buddha: A 17th-century Baccarat crystal Buddha seated on a gilded pedestal.
• Maitreya Buddha: A life-size gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds, the largest weighing 25 carats.
• Reamker Murals: The surrounding gallery walls depict scenes from the Cambodian version of the Ramayana, painted in 1903–1904.

History

King Norodom built the original wooden pagoda in 1892. His successor King Sisowath replaced it with the current structure in 1907, and King Sihanouk added the silver floor during renovations in 1962. The pagoda survived the Khmer Rouge era largely intact.

Visitor Tips

• Access: Included with the Royal Palace ticket; no separate admission.
• Photography: No photos allowed inside the main temple building.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.