The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh stands as one of Cambodia’s most haunting yet important historical sites. Once a high school, this building was transformed into Security Prison 21 (S-21) during the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979.
Under Pol Pot’s rule, S-21 became a center of imprisonment, interrogation, and torture, where an estimated 17,000 people passed through before being sent to the Killing Fields. Today, the museum preserves the cells, torture devices, and hundreds of photographs of victims, offering visitors a sobering glimpse into one of the darkest periods in Cambodian history.
Walking through Tuol Sleng is a deeply emotional experience, but it is an essential stop for those wanting to understand Cambodia’s past, honor the victims, and witness the country’s resilience and recovery.
If you visit, take time to read the stories and listen to the audio guide. It’s a place for reflection, remembrance, and learning.
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