Patan Durbar Square, Royal palace complex in Lalitpur, Nepal.
Patan Durbar Square is a royal palace complex in Lalitpur that spans three main courtyards filled with temples, bronze gateways, and stone sculptures. The buildings display finely carved details on windows, doors, and roofs, with each courtyard representing a different section of the former palace.
The complex developed in the 1600s as the seat of royal power under the Malla dynasty and served as the governing center of the city. It survived centuries of change and remains a testament to medieval Nepalese royal architecture.
People come to worship at the temples and leave flowers and incense as offerings throughout the day. The way locals move through the courtyards shows how this place remains a center for devotion and daily spiritual practice.
The square is walkable and relatively flat, though narrow lanes leading to the entrance can feel tight and winding. A museum within the palace complex provides context, but the best experience comes from freely exploring the courtyards and watching daily activity unfold.
The celebrated gilded window showcases Hindu and Buddhist symbols carved close together, a hallmark of Newar architectural style. This artistic blend is rarely seen elsewhere and often goes unnoticed despite being one of the square's defining features.
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