Battambang city is the capital city of Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia.
Battambang is the second-largest city in Cambodia with a population of over
250,000. Founded in the 11th century by the Khmer Empire, Battambang is well
known for being the leading rice-producing province of the country.For over
500 years, it was the main commercial hub of Siam's Eastern Provinces,though
it was always populated by a mix of ethnic Thai, Lao, Chinese and Cambodians.
Still today Battambang is the main hub of the Northwest connecting the entire
region with Phnom Penh and Thailand, and as such it’s a vital link to Cambodia
The city is situated by the Sangker River, a tranquil,small body of water that
winds its way through Battambang Province providing its nice picturesque setting.
As with much of Cambodia, the French Colonial architecture is an attractive
bonus of the city. It is home to some of the best-preserved, French colonial
architecture in the country.From 1795 to 1907 the province was associated with
the Siamese,under control of the Chavfea Baen family, which ruled for six
generations. During that time Battambang was a small town with about 2500 residents.
They lived mostly along a single road parallel to the river was disorderly.The whole province was returned to Cambodia in 1907.Following from five
times urban development of French colonial administration yielded the urban layout
of Battambang enlarged the size of the French colonial town.In the first time
development, they designed a grid pattern of well-defined streets, put in the
urban structure and built roads such as Three main streets in town were built
parallel to the Sangker River,connected the both side with two bridges in 1917.
Military purposes and prison infrasture used erected inside the compound.
then, 19 years later ,a second urban development plan was created with a newly
constructed railway linked Battambang to Phnom Penh.The urban structure was
extended to the west of the town,featuring some important urban axes orienting
on the railway station.Many outstanding buildings like residential villas and
significant public buildings were constructed during that period.According to the third urban development plan for Battambang City,large
extension areas were planned for the north,the east and for the south of the
city. The both aesthetically and technically planned urban layout of that time
was courageous and long-term thinking,featured some significant urban axis
corresponding to theexisting urban layout from the former period.
Battambang city became the most developed part of all provincial even whole
Cambodia,grew as a modern provincial capital,being the industrial and commercial
centre of the region. Several large infrastructures and public facilities were built
under the modernization program of the Cambodian government of then-prince Sihanouk.
Several provincial departments, the court house and other public administrations were
set up on both sides of the river. Textile and garment factories were built by
French and Chinese investors,the airport was set running and the railway line was
developed to reach Poipet. Numerous schools and a university were built.</p>
A sports centre, museum and an exhibition hall were constructed to serve the
cultural needs of the growing population.</p>
<p>Battambang City in north-western Cambodia at night. From 1907 until 1953 the
province capital was under french administration. In that time the formerly rural
town was transfered into a busy market place for local goods and expanded its territory
significantly. With still around 800 heritage buildings, Battambang is a witness of
urban development in Cambodia during the 19th century.For centuries Battambang Province has been be the “rice chamber” of the Khmer Empire.
Still today the region is a hub for agricultural products, preserving a rural character.
Long before the French introduced solid constructions and created the urban Battambang,
people have lived for generations in traditional wooden houses along the banks of the
Sangker River. At the outskirts of Battambang City wooden constructions still remain the
typical way of housing. Some extraordinary examples are over 100 years old. From 1795 to
1907 the province was associated with the Siamese. The family of Chavfea Baen ruled for
six generations. During that time Battambang was a small town with about 2500 residents.
With only one road parallel to the river, people built their houses disorderly along
both sides of this road. At the location of todays Psar Nath an open-air market was
to be found. At that time, dominant landmarks were numerous pagodas along both river
banks and a Chinese temple. A rectangular fort called “Kampheng” was built in the
late 1830s, with the palace of the Lord Governor. The Mansion has been designed
by Italian architects and houses the Provincial Council today.
