The Patan Museum displays the traditional sacred art of Nepal in an illustrious architectural setting. Its home is an old residential court of Patan Darbar, one of the royal palaces of the former Malla kings of the Kathmandu Valley. Its gilded door and window face one of the most beautiful squares in the world.

The residential palace compound of Keshav Narayan Chowk which houses the museum dates from 1734, displacing a Buddhist monastery that is still remembered in an annual public rite on the palace doorstep. But both monastery and palace rest on far older foundations that may go back to the Licchavi Period (ca. 3rd to 9th century).

Altered over time to suit other purposes, and partly fallen into decay, the building has undergone a thorough restoration for more than a decade through the joint efforts of His Majesty's Government of Nepal and the Austrian Government. Some parts are new, others were reconstructed to their original appearance, and interiors were adapted to the needs of a museum with appropriate modern facilities added. The museum was finally established and opened in 1997.

The garden to the rear of the museum has been adapted to incorporate a pleasant resting place and The Patan Museum Cafe run by the Summit Hotel, Kathmandu. The Patan Museum Cafe has been crafted to complement the superb period ambience achieved by the architects and builders of the Museum itself. Located in the inner courtyard of the Keshav Narayan Chowk in Patan Durbar, the cafe will offer a mix of traditional and western delicacies and light meals in a setting unparalleled in the Kathmandu valley. The cafe area may also be booked for special evening functions for classical dance or music, for receptions, banquets, theatre, etc. For enquires please consult the Contact Page. The museum is also home to a fine museum gift shop selling unique handicrafts of the valley and museum reproductions.

The museum’s exhibits cover a long span of Nepal’s cultural history and some rare objects are among its treasures. Their meaning and context within the living traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism are explained. Most of the objects are cast bronzes and gilt copper repousse work, traditional crafts for which Patan is famous. For highlights of the Museum's collection, please visit the Collection Highlights page. The museum hours are 10:30AM to 4:30PM: Closed Tuesdays (Cafe and shop the same).

Please click here to view the extensive report on the history and construction of the Patan Museum, richly illustrated.

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