Saturday, August 18, 2012

National Museum, Phnom Penh.

Monday 13th August 2012

 

IMG_2630

For our morning activity this day, we (and some Buddhist Monks) walked along beside the river.  We were heading for the National Museum.

 

Copy of IMG_2631

The road is always busy…..

 

IMG_2632

…..and with no lights, scary to cross.

 

IMG_2635

We walked past the Moonlight Pavilion of the Royal Palace.

 

Copy of IMG_2640

Little kid with pigeons, outside the Royal Palace.

 

Copy of IMG_2638

Chasing the pigeons, Royal Palace.

 

IMG_2643

The National Museum The museum was built by the French in 1917 in a pseudo-Khmer style.  Constructed of red brick, it is arranged as four open pavilions each facing onto a central garden courtyard. 

 

IMG_2651

Monk entering museum.

The museum contains more than 5,000 objects, including an amazing collection of Khmer sculptures dating from the pre-Angkor period (4th century) to post-Ankgor period (14th century).

An exhibit we found interesting (and also useful preparation for our later visit to Angkor Wat) was a set of animations from Australia’s Monash University, showing life in Angkor Wat in about 5th century.

It is interesting to see how the country has alternated between Hinduism and Buddhism.

No comments:

Post a Comment