55 Window Palace
Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bhaktapur, Nepal, 44800
Bhaktapur’s 55 Window Palace was completed in 1754, and sits in the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. It’s one of the architectural highlights of the historic town. The 55 windows are carved in the traditional Newari style, with latticed wooden slats instead of glass. Visitors can admire the beautiful building from the outside, as well as visit the inner courtyards.
The basics
There are many attractive old buildings in the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and the 55 Window Palace is a standout. Travelers usually admire this architectural masterpiece alongside other points of interest like the Bhupatindra Malla Statue, Nyatapola Temple, and the Peacock Window. Taking a guided tour is a good idea as a guide will help you understand the history and art/architecture of Bhaktapur. It’s also possible to visit independently.
Things to know before you go
- Many travelers find the outside of the 55 Window Palace to be more interesting than the inside, but curious travelers can also check out the inner courtyards and a few artifacts on display.
- Non-Nepali tourists must pay an entrance fee to the UNESCO-listed Bhaktapur Old Town area.
- Bhaktapur suffered a lot of damage in the earthquake of 2015, and restoration work is ongoing.
How to get there
Bhaktapur is about 9 miles (15 kilometers) east of central Kathmandu. It can be reached on a private tour, by taxi, or local bus. Vehicles generally park outside the entrance to Bhaktapur’s old town area, and visitors walk to the Durbar Square, where the 55 Window Palace is located.
When to get there
The statue and surrounding square are most beautiful at sunrise and sunset, when local people perform their religious rituals and the light casts a warm glow on the terracotta-hued bricks and bronze details. Bhaktapur is a living, occupied town, so can be visited at any time. The inside of the 55 Window Palace can only be entered during opening hours, but visitors can check out the exterior at any time.
The Newar Craftspeople of the Kathmandu Valley
The Nepali ethnic group considered to be the indigenous inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley are the Newar people. They have their own language and culture that is distinct from other Nepali ethnic groups. The traditional architectural styles that dominate in old parts of the Kathmandu Valley--such as Bhaktapur, Patan, and Kirtipur--are Newari. The exquisite carvings of the windows of the 55 Window Palace, as well as many other details around the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, are Newari. You can see Newari craftsmen at work in small workshops throughout Bhaktapur.
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