Wat Phnom

Wat Phnom is the most famous stupa of Phnom Penh. Built on a 27 m high artificial hill with 300 m diameter, it is the highest religious building in the city. The sanctuary above is accessible via stairs and ramps. According to legend, had to build the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh initiated in 1372 after a had found stone in a Koki tree trunk on the banks of the Mekong five Buddha statues, four of which were made ​​of bronze and, by a large tidal wave was washed downstream. She left the hills north-east clump of her house and the temple, which was to house the statues, construct from the alluvial tree trunks. She gave the plant the name Wat Phnom Daun Penh. Phnom in Khmer means "hill", and this formed the nucleus of the city, whose name translates literally " hill Penh " is. Moreover Wat "temple" means.

Over the centuries, the building was completely renovated and refurbished several times (most recently in 1926) and supplemented by other shrines and other buildings, the original building from the 14th century is no longer available. The stupa houses the ashes of King Yat Ponhea and is the center of celebration of the Cambodian New Year in Phnom Penh.

Around the hill leads a generously sized roundabout.