Bhaktapur, Medieval royal city in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.
Bhaktapur is a historic city in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, known for its medieval architecture and Newari design. Brick buildings with carved wooden windows line the narrow lanes, while several squares filled with temples and palaces form the center.
Raja Ananda Malla founded the settlement in the 9th century, which later became the capital of a Malla kingdom. The city remained a political center until the 15th century, when other ruling families took power.
Craftspeople shape their pottery in open squares where visitors watch clay become vessels and figures. The Newari heritage appears in carved wooden windows and temple roofs that define the streetscape.
The city sits about an hour east of Kathmandu by road and can be explored on foot. The main squares connect to each other and form a walking route through the historic center.
An earthquake in 2015 damaged many buildings, but the community immediately began rebuilding using traditional methods. Several workshops in the center still show how woodcarvers and stonemasons work on restoration.
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