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Wat Roka Kandal Pagoda & Handicraft Centre
- who we are & what we do
- what you can experience
- contact us
- supporting partners
- photo gallery
who we are
The former pagoda of Wat Roka Kandal was constructed at the end of the 18th century and is the oldest preserved pagoda in Cambodia. The interior decorations are reminiscent of pagodas in Luang Prabang, Laos. As this old pagoda had been abandoned for many years, it was recognized as an ideal location to set up a regional centre for traditional crafts in Kratie.
what we do
Kratie has been well-known in Cambodia for its handicraft expertise and wickerwork weaving. The centre is a member of the Cambodian Craft Cooperation (CCC). In partnership with the German Chamber of Trade and Skilled Crafts of Koblenz City (Handwerkskammer Koblenz) - financed by the German Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) - renovations of the old pagoda took place in February 2002. The first program, undertaken at Chheu Tiel Pluch Leu village and Chheu Tiel Pluch Krom village, was to establish a training facility for around 400 female wicker-workers in Kratie province.