Bhaktapur, Medieval royal city in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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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Photo license: GFDL
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Patan Museum
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Kumbheshwar Temple
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Charumati Stupa
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Shilu Mahadev Temple
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Kumari Temple
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Pujarimath Museum
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Bhairavnath temple
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Kailashnath Mahadev Statue
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Gothatar swimming pool
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Kopan Monastery
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Nyatapola Temple
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Degutale Temple
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