Wat Preah Keo Morakot and its silver floor in Phnom Penh
Published on 08/21/2026 at 11:28 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Wat Preah Keo Morakot, widely known in English as the Silver Pagoda, forms the ceremonial heart of the Royal Palace complex in Phnom Penh and centres on a silver-covered temple hall anchored by a revered emerald-hued Buddha image from the late nineteenth century.Royal Palace complex
A royal temple of silver and jade
Wat Preah Keo Morakot stands inside the southern section of the Royal Palace of Cambodia, along Samdech Sothearos Boulevard in central Phnom Penh, where the palace grounds approach the junction of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers.southern section of the Royal Palace The temple’s official name is Preah Vihear Preah Keo Morakot, meaning “Temple of the Emerald Buddha”, and it serves as the royal chapel for Cambodia’s kings.Preah Vihear Preah Keo Morakot
The pagoda acquired its English nickname from the thousands of silver tiles that cover the floor of its main hall, forming a solid metal surface beneath visitors’ feet.thousands of silver tiles Inside, the central focus is a prominent Buddha image described as an emerald or crystal figure, surrounded by other statues, royal regalia and religious objects that connect the building to Cambodia’s monarchy.emerald Buddha image
From wooden chapel to twentieth-century pagoda
The structure visitors see is rooted in the reign of King Norodom, who ordered a wooden pagoda on this site in 1892 as part of his court’s Buddhist ceremonial life.ordered a wooden pagoda In the twentieth century, under King Norodom Sihanouk, the building was reconstructed in brick and concrete, with work completed in 1962, giving the pagoda its present form while retaining its role as a royal temple.reconstructed in brick and concrete
During Sihanouk’s pre-Khmer Rouge reign, the floor was inlaid with more than 5,000 individual silver tiles, and parts of the outer facade received Italian marble cladding, creating a blend of Khmer and imported materials.more than 5,000 individual silver tiles The pagoda’s collection of statues and treasures was reduced during the conflicts of the late twentieth century, yet a significant array of royal and religious objects remains on display, underscoring the building’s status as a symbol of Cambodia’s resilience.collection of statues and treasures
Inside the Silver Pagoda complex
Wat Preah Keo Morakot forms part of a broader compound within the Royal Palace grounds, comprising the main vihara, surrounding galleries, stupas and smaller structures set around courtyards.broader compound within the Royal Palace grounds The vihara houses the emerald-hued Buddha and a series of gilded statues, while the perimeter galleries include mural paintings illustrating episodes from the Cambodian version of the Ramayana, known as the Reamker.mural paintings
Within the courtyard stand several chedi and monuments associated with members of the royal family, combining religious and dynastic functions in a single enclosed space.several chedi and monuments The complex is laid out with paved walkways and raised platforms, and the pagoda’s rooflines and ornamented corners echo the broader architectural language of the Royal Palace while marking this enclosure as a distinct sacred precinct.
Visiting Wat Preah Keo Morakot: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Wat Preah Keo Morakot stands within the Royal Palace compound in central Phnom Penh, on the south side of the complex along Samdech Sothearos Boulevard.
- The approach from the palace grounds involves paved courtyards and steps leading up to the main temple platform, with some areas requiring steady footing on metal-covered flooring.
- The pagoda complex lies close to the confluence of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers, with views of palace roofs and nearby stupas giving a compact sense of Cambodia’s royal quarter.
- 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.
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Frequently asked questions about Wat Preah Keo Morakot
Where is Wat Preah Keo Morakot located?
Wat Preah Keo Morakot stands within the Royal Palace compound in central Phnom Penh, on the southern side of the palace grounds near Samdech Sothearos Boulevard.
What can visitors expect when entering the Silver Pagoda?
Visitors encounter a ceremonial temple hall with a silver-tiled floor, an emerald-hued Buddha image and surrounding statues, galleries and stupas arranged around paved courtyards.
What makes Wat Preah Keo Morakot distinctive among Cambodian temples?
The combination of its royal function, silver-covered floor, emerald-hued Buddha image and location inside the Royal Palace complex gives Wat Preah Keo Morakot a distinct position in Cambodia’s religious landscape.
