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Singelzaal
archaeology

Angkor – The mystery of Cambodia

  • 17 October 2026 till 9 May 2027
  • Drents Museum

The world's largest religious monument is on display in Europe for the first time.

More than one hundred original objects from the famous city of Angkor will be on display at the Drents Museum in Assen from 17 October 2026. While Angkor is best known for its atmospheric tourist images and its appearance in the Dutch television programme Wie is de Mol?, there is much more to this architectural wonder. Eight hundred years ago, Angkor was the largest city in the world, before its golden age came to an end. The story of this UNESCO World Heritage site occupies an important place in world history and remains highly relevant today. Making its European debut, the exhibition combines centuries-old history with archaeological discoveries, interactive elements and contemporary themes such as heritage conservation and the impact of biased historical narratives.

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. Its temples are the national symbol of Cambodia, with Angkor Wat – the largest religious monument in the world – prominently featured on the country's flag. With an estimated population of 750,000 and covering an area of around 1,000 square kilometres, roughly four times the size of present-day Amsterdam, Angkor was the capital of the Khmer Empire and the largest city in the world during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Today, Angkor remains both a major pilgrimage site and one of Southeast Asias most popular tourist destinations. Its temples have been in continuous use for more than a thousand years.

Masterpieces of Khmer Art

The exhibition features 120 original objects from Cambodia, including Buddhist and Hindu sculptures and religious artefacts from Angkor dating from the ninth to the fifteenth centuries. Sanskrit and Khmer inscriptions, which provide valuable insights into the empire’s rulers and frontier regions, also form part of the exhibition. In addition, the museum presents nineteenth- and twentieth-century archival material. 
Highlights include a portrait of King Jayavarman VII, regarded as one of the masterpieces of Khmer art, a lintel depicting scenes from the life of Buddha, and an elephant bell. Videos and interactive displays bring visitors closer to Cambodia’s rich culture and landscape.

Asura head, Gate of Angkor Thom

Siem Reap, 13th century
Garuda guardian, Banteay Srei

Siem Reap, 10th century
Portrait of Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan of Kompong Svay

Preah Vihear, 12th–13th century
Elephant bell, Wat Sangke, Sangke

Battambang, 12th–13th century
Shrine with Hevajra, Prei Monti, Roluos

Siem Reap, late 12th – early 13th century
Ganesha, Banteay Chhoeu, Puok

Siem Reap, 12th–13th century
Vaisnava boundary marker, Wat Khnat, Puok,

Siem Reap, ca. 12th–13th century
Lintel with scenes from the life of the Buddha

First half of the 12th century

‘A European first for the Drents Museum with an exhibition on the world-famous temple city of Angkor’

RTV Drenthe, 15 January 2026

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For press

For questions, the press can contact marketing and communications, Ayana Emmens (a.emmens@drentsmuseum.nl).

The exhibition is a cooperation with MUSEUMsPARTNER, the National Museum of Cambodia (NMC), the EFEO and the California Science Center.

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