Bokor Catholic Church

Bokor Catholic Church

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Address:
Bokor Catholic Church, Changhaon, Cambodia, Kampot
Description:

The Catholic Church atop Bokor Mountain was build by the French in the 1920s. It is one of a handful of churches that remain in Cambodia – many were destroyed in the Khmer Rouge period.

This church itself has a dark history. On the hill just above the church once sat an anti-aircraft gun placement – a strategic spot on top of the tallest mountain in the area. The Khmer Rouge defended Bokor and used the church to house troops. The church functioned as a bunker, with a hole in the wall created so the defenders could fire upon anyone approaching from the road.

Later the church was abandoned once again and is now one of the few remaining French colonial buildings on Bokor Mountain that have not been demolished or renovated. Nothing more than a shell containing a few ageing religious idols, it has an eerie vibe but is a must visit during your climb up Bokor Mountain.

Let the adventure begin.