The Museum was constructed in 1917, during the period of  the French Protectorate in Cambodia 1863-1953. The original design was prepared by George Groslier. The inauguration ceremony took place on April 13 , 1920 under the auspices of His Majesty Superior in Cambodia. Today two marble plaques in French and Khmer commemorating this date are on display on the walls either side of interior staircase.The Museum was first housed on the grounds of the Preah Sisowath School and was called the Phnom Penh Museum. It was then transferred to the east gallery of the museum and was named the museum Krong Kamphuchea Dhipati.


In honour of the French Governor General of Indochina, the Krong Kampuchea Dhipati Museum became the Albert Sarraut Museum. In 1966 the Museum was changed again, this time to national museum of Cambodia. The Museum was renamed the Archaeological Museum in 1979. Finally, during the administration of Museum Director Mr. Pich Keo, the name of national museum of Cambodia was officially reinstated.

The edifice has housed both the Museum and the Faculty of fine arts for many years and various work completed by Cambodian art instructors and the students from an integral part of structure. Instructors and students of the Faculty are responsible for the ornamentation of twelve wooden the windows and three pairs of large sculpted doors, as well as the windows of the western wall of the bronze gallery. These are composed of paintings representing various characters from  traditional folk tales.

Since 1917, the school of art decoration of the royal palace was located in three main galleries (south, west and north) of t he museum and is known in Khmer as the Sala Rachana which was then moved to the southern campus of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

The museum was initially directed by French curators: George Groslier was the first, followed by Pierre Dupont, Jean Boisselier and Madeleine Gitean 1956-1966. In 1951 France officially transferred the management of the museum to Cambodia.

From 1966 to 1975, the management of the museum fell to two Cambodian curators, Mr. Chea Thay Seng and Mr. Ly Vou Ong. A number of curators succeeded each other as of the January 7, 1979. There were Mr. Kan Man, Mr. Ouk Chea, Mr. Ouk Sun Heng and Mr. Pech Keo. On 26 September in 1996 responsibility for the Museum was transferred from Mr. Pich Keo to Mr. Khun Samen, under the auspices of H.E. Nuth Narang, Minister of culture and Fine Arts. The east gallery of the Museum was constructed in 1969 under the direction of Mr. Chea Thay Seng. The renovation included a new upper level for administrative offices and a library as well as an underground storage area.

thanks to the support of friendly countries, national and international organizations, and other partners, the National Museum has been able to enrich its collection and develop its.

General Information for Visitors

Parking can be found outside the museum compound, although during rain showers cars are permitted to park in the area in front of the main entrance stairs.

Visitors enter by the north gate next to the ticket booth. The main gate , which faces east, is only used for official delegations.

Access to the museum is possible through any of the five sets of stairs. The central staircase leads to main door of the museum and flanked by two large statues of lions.

To the left in garden visitor will be find a general floor plan to the museum. To the south (left as you approach the edifice) of the central staircase are two additional staircase, one leads to the library and the other to the stone conservation workshop. The two remaining staircase to the north lead to the administrative offices (near staircase) and the metal conservation workshop (far staircase).

To access the museum, you must be present your ticket (Purchased at the north gate). Large bags and cameras are not permitted in the museum building and visitors are requested to refrain from smoking and touching the objects.

On the right as you enter the museum is Souvenir shop. Visitors requiring guides will find them on 

the left as you enter. Guide services are available in Khmer, French, English and Japanese.

Directly upon entering the museum, visitors come face to face with majestic Garuda, King of the Birds, who bids a silent but powerful welcome to all who enter. Notice how he shows you which direction to take by pointing to his right. Behind Garuda  a stairwell descends to the storage area, which is closed to the public.