Central Market, Art Deco market hall in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The Central Market is an Art Deco market hall with four wings radiating from a central yellow dome. Hundreds of vendors operate across different sections, selling everything from jewelry to food and textiles.
French architect Jean Desbois designed this commercial building in 1930, and it opened to the public in 1937. The structure reflects French influence during Cambodia's colonial period.
Merchants sell Cambodian silk, jewelry and handmade crafts alongside fresh produce, reflecting what matters to local shoppers. The stalls show how people here have traditionally bought and sold goods for generations.
The market works best early in the morning when selection is widest and crowds are lighter. The building's ventilation system keeps it relatively comfortable, though it can still get warm and crowded.
The building was deliberately designed with sophisticated ventilation through its Art Deco architecture to create natural airflow. This engineering approach was quite advanced for Cambodia's hot climate when it was built.
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