If you want to discover the ancient history of Cambodia, then you should take sometime to visit the National Museum. A beautiful building in the very city centre, built around the 1920, where you will find the most beautiful sculptures and tools of the khmer culture, since his very beginning.
It is divided in four areas, that surround a nice inside garden where a statue of Buddah is standing.
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| The inside garden |
Most of the sculptures represents the Hindu's gods and goddess. Three are the main figures : Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. These three, part of a trinity, have each one a defined role. Brahma is the creator of the universe, Vishnu is the preserver and Shiva is the destroyer.
Once you are inside the museum, there are several statues that you cannot miss. One of the first that you will find is the upper part of a bronze-made Vishna, which dates the Angkor period (XIth century).
If you proceed in the direction of the tour, you will pass through a big room where you will see the evolution of the khmer sculpture, from the pre-Angkor period. You will notice the transition from the human forms (influence of the Indian culture) to the spirituals (around the Vth and the VIIIth).
Two of the most impressive sculptures that you will find on your way, are the Vishnu with eight-arms and the Harihara's, where the attributes of Shiva and Vishnu merge together.
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| Statue of two fighting monkeys |
Then, you will find is an enormous statue of two monkeys fighting (picture), and the wonderful statue of Jayavarman, considered the first king of the Khmer empire, sitting in a meditative posture, with his head slightly recumbent.
You will also find a huge number of potteries and bronzes, as well as more modern tools and objects, such as a wonderful royal barge.
The entrance price is $5 (photos are not allowed inside), and for a few dollars more you will get a guided tour as well.
