The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, was founded in 1372. According to ancient legends, it was founded by a nun named Penh, who saw statues of Buddha floating down the river. Subsequently, the nun contributed to the creation of the first temple on the banks of the Mekong, where the fished statues were installed.
City `s history
The first mention of Phnom Penh as a capital dates back to the first half of the fifteenth century. It was in 1431 that King Ponya Yat fled from the former capital of Agkor Thom, fleeing the Thai defeat. The status of the main city of the state remained with Phnom Penh for another 73 years. After that, the capital "roamed" in different cities for almost four centuries, and only in 1866 this status was officially assigned to Phnom Penh.
The beginning of the twentieth century and the next four decades were marked by a real breakthrough in the life of the city. Schools, hospitals, hotels were massively built here, the railway developed. The small village has turned into a real metropolis.
The Vietnam War was a real challenge for Phnom Penh. The troops of North Vietnam were based here. Also, a whole stream of refugees poured here. In the 70s, Pol Pot's bloody machine massacred people who were disadvantageous to the Khmer Rouge empire. Today, 15 kilometers from Phnom Penh, there is a memorial to the fallen victims. It was here that hundreds of thousands of people were buried who were killed in Chengek. Despite the numerous disagreements between the Cambodians and their neighbors from Vietnam, it was the Vietnamese army that drove the Khmers out of Phnom Penh. In this regard, Cambodians have different attitudes towards their neighbors.
Phnom Penh landmarks
Tuol Sleng; Silver Pagoda; Choeng Ek are the most famous sights of the capital of the state of Cambodia. It is for the sake of these places that tourists come to Phnom Penh and take many photos home from here.
Tuol Sleng is the most notorious museum not only in the capital, but throughout the country. Until 1975, a regular school was located here. From 1975 to 1979, these premises housed Security Prison 21. Over the years of the existence of the concentration camp, more than 17 thousand prisoners were tortured. Vietnamese troops, having seized the school, found only seven alive inside. After the overthrow of the regime, the prison remained intact. In 1980, a museum was founded, which functions to this day. Every stone and every centimeter in this museum is reminiscent of horrific crimes.
