Wat Preah Keo Morakot and its silver floor at Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace
Published on 08/30/2026 at 10:41 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Wat Preah Keo Morakot in Phnom Penh, widely known in English as the Silver Pagoda, is the royal temple embedded within Cambodia’s Royal Palace compound and distinguished by a ceremonial hall paved with silver tiles and a central emerald-hued Buddha image.Silver Pagoda The shrine forms part of the palace ensemble on the south side of the grounds and serves as the royal chapel for Cambodia’s monarchs.Royal Palace compound
A royal temple of the Emerald Buddha
The official Khmer name of the shrine complex is Preah Vihear Preah Keo Morakot, often shortened to Wat Preah Keo, a phrase that translates as “Temple of the Emerald Buddha”.Temple of the Emerald Buddha The name refers to the principal image in the main hall, an emerald-coloured Buddha figure that gives the temple its identity and sets the tone for the surrounding collection of religious artefacts.
Wat Preah Keo Morakot stands within the Royal Palace compound in central Phnom Penh, on the southern side of the complex along Samdech Sothearos Boulevard, close to the meeting point of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers.southern section of the Royal Palace Within the palace it functions as the royal chapel rather than as an ordinary neighbourhood monastery, forming the ceremonial heart of the grounds and acting as the setting for court rituals.
The silver floor and royal treasures
The English name “Silver Pagoda” comes from the distinctive interior floor of the main hall, which is covered with thousands of silver tiles laid side by side to create a continuous metallic surface.solid silver tiles In places the silver is visible under protective carpets, revealing the gleam and texture of the individual plates and their careful fitting around pillars and display areas.
The hall contains a dense array of royal and religious treasures, including Buddha images in various materials, ceremonial objects and devotional gifts presented over generations by kings, queens and members of the court.b?o v?t vô giá c?a ??o Ph?t Among them is a life-sized golden Buddha figure adorned with diamonds, set on a raised pedestal near the centre of the hall, and a series of smaller images and reliquaries arranged in tiers and glass-fronted cases that turn the space into a kind of royal treasury.
Architecture, layout and setting
Architecturally, Wat Preah Keo Morakot follows a Cambodian temple layout, with a main vihara hall approached by stairs and flanked by subsidiary structures within a walled compound. The outer enclosure separates the royal temple from the rest of the palace grounds, while interior pathways lead between the principal hall, smaller shrines and ceremonial structures such as stupas and statues.
The temple compound lies adjacent to other elements of the Royal Palace, with its orientation and massing arranged to align with the broader palace plan and the riverside setting of Phnom Penh.south side of the Royal Palace Inside, the combination of silver flooring, coloured glass, mural decoration and sculpted images creates an interior that contrasts with the open courtyards and formal facades elsewhere in the palace complex.
Visiting Wat Preah Keo Morakot: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Wat Preah Keo Morakot lies within the Royal Palace compound in central Phnom Penh, in the southern section of the grounds along Samdech Sothearos Boulevard near the junction of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers. Access to the temple involves walking through palace courtyards and climbing a set of steps to reach the main hall, with footwear removed before entering the interior.Royal Palace complex in Phnom Penh
- The approach to the main hall includes exterior stairs made of smooth stone, and the interior silver floor is partly covered by carpets, so movement alternates between outdoor paving, steps and indoor surfaces.
- The official language is Khmer and the currency is the Cambodian riel.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Wat Preah Keo Morakot on social platforms
These links open searches for Wat Preah Keo Morakot on each platform.Frequently asked questions about Wat Preah Keo Morakot
Where is Wat Preah Keo Morakot located?
Wat Preah Keo Morakot stands inside the Royal Palace compound in central Phnom Penh, on the south side of the grounds along Samdech Sothearos Boulevard near the rivers.
What can visitors expect on a visit?
Visitors encounter a royal temple complex with a main hall paved in silver tiles, an emerald-hued Buddha image and a range of royal and religious treasures within a walled compound.
What makes Wat Preah Keo Morakot distinctive among Phnom Penh’s temples?
The combination of its role as royal chapel, its silver-covered interior floor and its principal emerald-coloured Buddha image gives Wat Preah Keo Morakot a character distinct from other temples in the city.
