Wat Samrong Knong (Battambang)

A very special monastery and remembrance site featuring a contemporary pagoda, the original pagoda from the 19th century, and is also a sacred site for the remembrance of tragic events in the Khmer Rouge era.

The grounds are quite large and you can stroll around the contemporary pagoda and the older pagoda. There’s an exhibit/museum related to the Khmer Rouge era and just outside the northeast corner of the grounds is a large shrine dedicated to housing the remains of those who died here during those tragic events.

Photos from Aug 2023 – post-restoration of the late 19th-century pagoda. As mentioned the pagoda is quite special and features a porched style roof, typical of the Battambang style of pagoda. The pagoda is surrounded by stupa/chedi of the same era. It reportedly replaced an earlier vihara that may have dated back to the very early 18th century.

Photos from Feb 2022, pre-restoration

To the northwest corner of the new pagoda, there are remains of an old stupa known as Prasat Preah Bat.

To the northeast of the old pagoda, there are the fascinating remains of another old stupa. It’s quite interesting and seemingly very unique, and, at a later stage, I will come back to this post with some extra information on it hopefully.

Rodney Charles LHuillier

Living in Asia for over a decade and now residing in beautiful Siem Reap - Contact via [email protected] - more..