Wat Damnak is a contemporary Buddhist monastery and pagoda located nearby the Siem Reap River on the southeast side of the city center. The large and pretty grounds are also home to a primary school and the Center for Khmer Studies.
Fascinatingly, it also features remnants of an ancient temple site, likely of the Angkorian era, including two lions and a rectangular tank (possibly a sarcophagus) made from sandstone. Both of these can be seen on the western side of the pagoda. Prior to becoming a Buddhist monastery in 1927, the site served as the Royal Palace for King Sisowath (Reign: 1904 -1927).
The site also features two prasat-like stupa that were built during the 1930s.
Inside the pagoda, the original sema stones can still be seen which are also carved from sandstone, a little unique in the decoration, and quite beautiful.
Map
Site Info
- Reference ID: HA11729 | Last Update: January 1st, 2026
- Site Name: Damnak (V.) | Khmer: វត្តដំណាក់
- Other Names: Damnak (V.), Vat Damnak., Vat Damnak
- Location: Siem Reap Province > Krong Siem Reab > Sala Komraeuk Commune > Vat Damnak Village
- Inventaire Khmer IK: 545
- MoCFA/EFEO Inventory - CISARK: 446
- Monuments Historiques - MH: 435
- Inscription Number/s: K. 420 , K. 799
- Tags/Group: 1926MH, Angkor, Inscription, Lajonquiere, MH, Temples, Wat
Historical Inventories of Damnak (V.)
- 1911, E. Lunet de Lajonquière, Inventaire descriptif des monuments du Cambodge, Tome III, pg. 230 (IK #: 545 Site Name: Vat Damnak Region: Srok Siemreap, Khet Siemreap)
- 1926, Liste des Monuments Historiques, #: 435 Site: Vat Damnak. - Lions and inscriptions. Region: Siemréap
Damnak (V.) Inscription References
- K. 420 - Lines: 48 Script: Khmer Date (Saka): xe-xie Ref: 1952, Coedes, Inscriptions du Cambodge, Volume 4, p. 161
- K. 799 - Lines: 1 Script: ? Date (Saka): ? Ref: -
