Central Market, Phnom Penh

The Central Market or Phsar Thmei (Khmer " New market ") is a in the years 1935 to 1937, built in Art Deco building in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It was designed by the French architect Louis Chauchon and Jean Desbois, composed of engineer Vladimir Kandaourow,

The Central Market is the approximate geographic center of the city and is ideally suited as a reference point. It spreads over a larger place to the east of Monivong Boulevard and consists of a central 26 -meter high dome with a diameter of 45 meters and four 44 -meter-long building arms. The building protects within it stalls from sun and rain. Moreover, it is interspersed with numerous openings, and building arms stand on pillars, so that is taken care of because of the wind permeability pleasant temperatures. Offering the entire spectrum East and Southeast Asian goods, so in particular - are each preferably as copies of Western brand products - clothing, shoes, bags, sunglasses, watches, and DVDs, but also household items and electronic equipment, mosquito nets, books, jewelry, local crafts, toys and agricultural and fisheries cultural products and flowers.

History

Before 1935 the area was at the market from a wetland where the water collected during the rainy season in a lake. Constantly occurring floods during this season are a relic of the past. Is also worth mentioning that prior to the draining of the wetland, the city of Phnom Penh by Norodom Boulevard in the west and the shores of the Tonle Sap was limited in the east. The draining was the starting point for the later expansion of the city to the west at that time dominated by rice-growing areas. Was built in the market from August 1935 to June 1937, he was donated by the French government. He was up in the 70 ' years, the commercial center of Phnom Penh.

Renewal 2009-2011

From January 2009 to February 2011, the Central Market has been completely renovated. The original appearance of the building was obtained in this case as much as possible. Between the poor building additional covered sales areas emerged. In addition, the power poles were replaced, planted new trees, new traffic sign attached and renewed Wegplatten, also parts of the road have been renewed by the market. Due to the lying only 15 cm below the surface of the water table, a new drainage system also was built. The project was supported with € 4.5 million from the Agence de Developpement Francaice ( AFD ). The reopening took place on 25 May 2011.