National Museum of Cambodia

Phnom Penh’s National Museum of Cambodia antiquarian collection of religious sculpture, architectural, and material culture is enhanced by a small contemporary exhibition room high on interpretation (comparatively speaking), a serene central courtyard, exterior sculpture garden of replicas found within the open-air museum, and a dedicated room to buddhas of old.

For the archaeological enthusiasts, there is up-to-date information on more recent projects that have been going on throughout the country. Because this museum is so low on interpretation, go on the guided tour unless you’re well versed in the history and culture already, otherwise you’ll leave with more questions than answers.

The exhibition halls of the open-air museum are laid out on the perimeter of the building surrounding a calming garden of lotus blossoms, fish filled ponds, and small shrubbery. The centerpiece of the garden is a replica of the “Leper King” or yama, the god of death or judgement. In late 2012 the real statue was in the rear gallery, near the Jayabuddhamahanatha.

Proceeding clockwise from the entrance, major highlights include the imposing winged Garuda from 11th century city of Koh Ker; the giant, bronze reclining Vishnu from the West Mebon; a collection of statues from 7th century Sambor Prei Kuk, including a tubby Ganesha and the striking goddess Durga; and the three towering sculptures from 6th century ‘kingdom’ Funan, which are overlooking a small collection of phallic linga stones, once considered the most sacred images in Kambujadesa.

Also worth checking out are the Jayavarman VII-Buddha statue (the Jayabuddhamahanatha), which dates from the late 12th century, and a few kneeling, female Prajnaparamita, some in the likeness of Jayavarman’s first wife and mother.

There are also exhibits of ancient bronzes and pottery from the pre-Angkorian era in the National Museum of Cambodia, including those of the Funan and Chenla, from the 4th to the 9th centuries; the Indravarman era, through the 9th and 10th centuries; and classical Angkorian, from the 10th to the 14th centuries.

The building itself is a terra-cotta structure from the early 1900s and lies amid well manicured grounds with statuary from the neighboring Royal University of Fine Arts all around (We like the bronze elephant eead poking of the shrubs).