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Wat Samraong Knong

Coordinates: 13°07′40″N 103°13′12″E / 13.127643°N 103.220074°E / 13.127643; 103.220074
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Wat Samraong Knong
វត្តសំរោងក្នុង
Religion
AffiliationTheravada Buddhism
Location
LocationEk Phnom District, Battambang Province
CountryCambodia
Wat Samraong Knong is located in Cambodia
Wat Samraong Knong
Shown within Cambodia
Geographic coordinates13°07′40″N 103°13′12″E / 13.127643°N 103.220074°E / 13.127643; 103.220074
Architecture
FounderThudong Chey
Completed1707

Wat Samraong Knong or Samraong Knong Pagoda (Khmer: វត្តសំរោងក្នុង, Wat Samraong Knong), roughly translated as "Pagoda in the Forest," is a historic Buddhist temple located in Samraong Knong Village, Samraong Knong Commune, Ek Phnom District, Battambang Province, Cambodia. Established in 1707, it is one of the oldest pagodas in Battambang and one of the highlights of the province of significant cultural and historical importance.[1] The pagoda is renowned for its architectural heritage, religious significance, and its tragic role during the Khmer Rouge regime, when it served as a prison and execution site. Today, it is a place of worship, remembrance, and a tourist attraction drawing visitors interested in Cambodia’s religious and modern political history.

History

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Founding and early development

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Wat Samraong Knong was founded in 1707 by a monk named Thudong Chey. The name "Samraong Knong" derives from the samrong tree or bastard poon tree, scientifically known as Sterculia foetida, which once grew abundantly around the temple grounds.[2][3] Initially constructed as a wooden hermitage, the pagoda served as a sacred space for monks and local officials to pray and fulfill spiritual vows.[4] In 1887, under the leadership of Preah Monivisong, the seventh chief monk, a brick temple was built to replace the earlier wooden structure, enhancing its durability and architectural prominence.[5] A notable feature from this period is a 20-meter-high brick-and-mortar stupa, commissioned by Venerable Teang, designed to house the relics of former head monks. The stupa has four entrances at its lower level facing intermediate directions and upper-level entrances facing the four cardinal directions.[2]

Khmer Rouge Era

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During the Khmer Rouge regime (1975–1979), Wat Samraong Knong was repurposed as a prison and execution site, earning the somber designation as a "killing field." While the chau autikar who was in charge was immediately discharged as the Khmer Rouge took power, remaining monks were not ordered to disrobe until April 1976.[6] It is estimated that around 10,000 people, including monks and local residents, were detained, tortured,[7] and executed on the premises during the Cambodian genocide.[8] After the fall of the Khmer Rouge on January 13, 1979, the remains of victims, including 1,008 skulls and bones, were exhumed from mass graves and preserved in a memorial stupa near the pagoda, known as the "Well of Shadows."[9]

Modern era

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Following the Khmer Rouge period, Wat Samraong Knong was restored as a place of worship and community gathering. The pagoda has undergone restoration efforts led by Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, though progress was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.[5] Today, it features a combination of the historic 19th-century pagoda, a contemporary pagoda, and memorials dedicated to the victims of the Khmer Rouge. The site attracts both national and international tourists interested in its architectural beauty and historical significance.[2]

Architecture

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Wat Samraong Knong is noted for its distinctive Battambang-style architecture, characterized by a porched-style roof and ornate pillars, some of which are octagonal and covered with gold leaf.[10][9] The pagoda complex includes:

  • Historic Pagoda: The original 19th-century pagoda, built in 1887, features artwork dating back centuries and reflects traditional Khmer design.[9]
  • Contemporary Pagoda: A modern structure built in the mid-20th century, showcasing Battambang’s regional architectural style.[10]
  • Stupas and Shrines: The 20-meter stupa from 1887 houses relics of former monks, while the "Well of Shadows" memorial stupa, located outside the southwest wall, contains victims’ remains and bas-reliefs depicting Khmer Rouge atrocities.[2][11]
  • Prasat Preah Bat: An ancient stupa located to the northwest of the new pagoda, noted for its unique design and historical significance.[10]
  • Gardens and Statues: The grounds feature tropical trees, flower gardens, and a large Buddha statue, contributing to the site’s serene atmosphere.[9]
  • Well of Shadows and Torture House Museum: a memorial providing a space for reflection on Cambodia’s tragic past.[12]

The pagoda’s layout and decorative elements, including bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat, highlight its cultural importance and connection to Cambodia’s broader heritage.[9]

  • General view
    General view
  • Side view
    Side view
  • Chadei
    Chadei
  • Stupa
    Stupa

Significance

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Wat Samraong Knong serves as both a religious and historical landmark. As a Buddhist monastery, it remains an active place of worship and meditation for local communities. Its historical role during the Khmer Rouge era has made it a poignant site for remembrance, with the "Well of Shadows" memorial providing a space for reflection on Cambodia’s tragic past.[12] It is one of the rare such memorials in Cambodian pagodas along with those in Wat Bo Knong, Wat Chhoung Leap Preah Sihanouk Reah, Kraing Ta Chan and Wat Kiri Bopharahm.[13] The pagoda’s combination of ancient architecture and modern memorials attracts tourists, historians, and those interested in Cambodia’s cultural and political history.[2]

The site is also part of the broader network of Cambodia’s nearly 5,000 pagodas, which are central to the country’s spiritual and cultural identity.[2] Its inclusion in restoration projects by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts underscores its value as a national heritage site.[5]

  • The Well of Shadows

Location and Access

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Wat Samraong Knong is located approximately 5.77 km northeast of Battambang Provincial Hall, on the eastern side of the Sangker River. To reach the pagoda, visitors can cross the Sangker River bridge 1.7 km north of the ferry pier, continue north for another 1.7 km, and turn right onto a small dirt road for 500 meters.[11] The site is accessible by foot, bicycle, or local transport, and visitors are advised in some sources to seek a local guide for areas outside main tourist zones.[10]

References

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  1. ^ LHuillier, Rodney Charles; Suon, Chanthim (2024-07-31). Ancient Cambodia: A Photo Journey & Archaeological Guide. Rodney Charles L'Huillier. p. 81. ISBN 978-0-6459546-2-3.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Samrong Knong: A 300-Year-Old Pagoda that, for a Short Time, Served as a Prison". Cambodianess. 2023-01-08. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  3. ^ "Wat Samrong Knong". Smart Sinn Travel. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  4. ^ "Wat Samrong Knong Pagoda, Battambang Attractions". Mekong Dolphin Tours. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  5. ^ a b c "Samrong Knong : Une pagode vieille de 300 ans qui a servie de prison". Le Petit Journal. 2023-01-09. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  6. ^ Harris, Ian (2012-12-31). Buddhism in a Dark Age: Cambodian Monks under Pol Pot. University of Hawaii Press. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-8248-3561-3.
  7. ^ Luig, Ute (2011-08-01). "Töten und Kannibalismus: Erinnerungen als politischer Diskurs in Kambodscha". Paragrana (in German). 20 (1): 97–110. doi:10.1524/para.2011.0008.
  8. ^ Harris, Ian (2012-12-31). Buddhism in a Dark Age: Cambodian Monks under Pol Pot. University of Hawaii Press. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-8248-3561-3.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Battambang Pagoda Provides a Mix of Beautiful and Tortured History". EAC News. 2023-08-11. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  10. ^ a b c d "Wat Samrong Knong (Battambang)". Hello Angkor. 2022-02-25. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  11. ^ a b "Wat Somrong Knong". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  12. ^ a b "Wat Samrong Knong - All You Must Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)". Tripadvisor. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  13. ^ Gillette, Donna L.; Sanders, Thomas L. (2024-10-01). The Intersection of Sacredness and Archaeology. Springer Nature. p. 185. ISBN 978-3-031-69777-7.
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