Culture & Cambodia: The Forgotten Frescoes of the Silver Pagoda Dazzle 8,000 Visitors at the SOSORO Museum

Into the Light: The Retrieved Paintings of Phnom Penh’s Silver Pagoda — the exhibition at the Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum of the Economy and Money (SOSORO) of the National Bank of Cambodia — is shining with remarkable success.

A Luminous Triumph in the Heart of Phnom Penh

Beneath the vaulted ceilings of the museum, the exhibition unfolds its treasures until early March 2026, from Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with free admission that invites all eyes to witness this artistic resurrection.These paintings, which once adorned the sanctuary of the legendary Silver Pagoda, depict the jātaka – the former lives of the Buddha – in a brilliance of forgotten refinement. Their disappearance during the 1960s restorations was only illusory: preserved glass-plate negatives, kept like relics, have brought them back to life.

Royal Patronage and Scholarly Expertise

Thanks to the gracious permission of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and Her Majesty Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, research could flourish on site.Led by Professor Olivier de Bernon of the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), and enriched by precious loans from Her Royal Highness Princess Norodom Marie, the exhibition was inaugurated under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank. Diplomats, cultural elites, and the public have gathered to celebrate this bridge between past and present.

An Immersive Journey Through the Centuries

High-resolution photographs, yellowed manuscripts, sacred artifacts, and interactive projections weave an enchanting narrative—from Buddhist scenes to Cambodian artistic traditions—guided by a playful booklet created by the Kroojchmar collective for younger visitors.This chronological journey reveals the genesis, disappearance, and rebirth of these works, illuminating the spiritual soul of the Silver Pagoda.

SOSORO, Beacon of Khmer Memory

A jewel of the National Bank of Cambodia, SOSORO explores 2,000 years of economic and monetary history through ancient artifacts and digital innovation. The museum has welcomed over 150,000 visitors—half of them students—and earned a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award.This exhibition forms part of a vibrant season of events, affirming the museum’s place as a living sanctuary of Khmer heritage.

On the Agenda

Location: SOSORO Museum, entrance on Street 102, Phnom Penh

Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. (until early March 2026)

Admission: Free