Old Catholic Church
Weather :
Tags : Church & Cathedral
Timings : 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Time Required : 1 hour
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Old Catholic Church, Kampot Overview
The Old Catholic Church or Bokor Church is a ruin located at the top of Bokor Hill Station in Bokor National Park close to Kampot in Cambodia. It is one of the structures built during the French occupation and is the oldest church in the country. The Old Catholic Church is one of the top attractions for the tourists visiting the national park, known for the viewpoints offering gorgeous views of the Gulf of Thailand.
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Old Catholic Church History & Significance
Bokor Hill Station was the summer retreat location for the French officers during their colonization of Cambodia. The Old Church was built in 1920 along with other structures in the National Park. It was abandoned after the expansion ended for a brief period. Later on, the church was used as a shelter by the soldiers during the Khmer Rouge, which was left in ruins after the end of the Rouge period.
The abandoned brick church is in ruins now and has not been restored unlike the other buildings in the park. However, the interior of the church are surprisingly well-kept, including the wall-paintings. If you get behind the church and climb the hill further for a few minutes, you can see the beautiful views of the coast from the top.
The abandoned brick church is in ruins now and has not been restored unlike the other buildings in the park. However, the interior of the church are surprisingly well-kept, including the wall-paintings. If you get behind the church and climb the hill further for a few minutes, you can see the beautiful views of the coast from the top.
Ticket details
There is no entry fee for the church, but if you arrive by a two-wheeler, the parking fees is 0.5 USD or 2000 KHR (Cambodian Riel) at the National Park.
Tips
If you plan to rent a bike, make sure you have sufficient fuel as there are no stations on the road once you go out of Kampot town.
There are no options for food and drinks. It's better to pack something with you.
If you are going there around monsoon or in winter, carry some warm clothes, rain coat or an umbrella. The weather at the top can be unpredictable. It can suddenly rain and also, it is usually cooler during these seasons.
There are no options for food and drinks. It's better to pack something with you.
If you are going there around monsoon or in winter, carry some warm clothes, rain coat or an umbrella. The weather at the top can be unpredictable. It can suddenly rain and also, it is usually cooler during these seasons.
How To Reach Old Catholic Church
Located 8km from Kampot downtown, it takes about 45 minutes to drive to the Old Catholic Church. The best way to reach is to hire a motorbike and drive by yourself. Bike rental cost(100 ccs) is about 12 USD per day with an additional 5 USD for fuel.
You can rent a mountain bike in Kampot centre. But it is recommended that you have some prior mountain biking experience as the uphill ride can be challenging. You can also take a cab which can be booked via your guesthouses or tour agents.
You can rent a mountain bike in Kampot centre. But it is recommended that you have some prior mountain biking experience as the uphill ride can be challenging. You can also take a cab which can be booked via your guesthouses or tour agents.
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