National Museum of Nepal
The National Museum of Nepal was established in 1928 as an arsenal museum in the historical building which was constructed in early 19th century by General Bhimsen Thapa. The initial name of this museum was Chhauni Silkhana which literally means "the stone house of arms and ammunition".

It was opened as a public museum in the year 1938 by the then Prime Minister Juddha Shamsher JBR. He not only allowed Nepalis to visit the museum charging very little but also raised a building for an art museum and named it after him Juddha Jatiya Kalashala. Until then only foreign scholars/dignitaries and invitees or guests of the Rana Prime Minister occasionally could have a glimpse of this wonderful collection. It was only in 1967 this was named as Rashtriya Sangrahalaya, the National Museum of Nepal. It has 3 building {i} juddha jayatia kala shala ii, Buddha art gallery iii, historical main building. In this building natural historical section, cultural section historical section n philatelic section is display, temporary section. Opens daily, except for Tuesday and holidays, from 9 am to 5 pm.

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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.


Shakyamuni Caitya Indra


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).