Our mission continually expands to include planning, education, and advocacy efforts to not only advance our historic conservation projects but support local professionals, craftsmen, laborers, and scholars who work with us.
The historic temples, palaces, and monasteries of the Kathmandu Valley are a world-class artistic and cultural treasure as well as a significant economic engine supporting tourism, Nepal's most important industry. (Aerial view of Patan Darbar Square, 1981)
Sundari Chowk, Patan Darbar — this focal courtyard of the Patan Palace Complex was restored 2012-2017 by KVPT and opened as the Architecture Galleries in 2014 as Nepal’s first museum of architecture.
"Anyone who has the opportunity to walk amidst these beautiful architectural antiquities will appreciate their importance, not only for Nepal but for all of human civilization." — Jimmy Carter, Former US President
Tusa Hiti, Sundari Chowk, Patan Darbar — this elaborate sunken bath feature survives from the palace’s original 17th c. construction and is complemented by other water features in the complex including the Bhandarkhal Pond in the palace garden, both restored by KVPT in 2012-2014.
KVPT actively works with traditional craftspeople who carry on family traditions and make authentic and ambitious rebuilding projects viable.
Mul Chowk, Patan Darbar — the central courtyard of the Patan Palace Complex was restored 2012-2015 by KVPT as part of a comprehensive restoration and repair program for a number of structures and features in the larger palace complex. This courtyard forms part of the Architecture Galleries which are an adjunct collection to the Patan Museum, Nepal’s most visited cultural site.
Patan Darbar Square, UNESCO World Heritage Site
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We remain as the only international private non-profit dedicated to safeguarding Nepal’s architectural heritage. Our presence on the ground following the devastating 2015 earthquakes allowed our team to spearhead the rescue and protection of thousands of historic architectural fragments from the debris, and shore up shaky structures to prevent collapse.
The 2015 Gorkha Earthquake resulted in the devastating loss of over 510 UNESCO World Heritage Site monuments, and rendered over 2200 historic buildings at risk of collapse.
In response to KVPT’s post-earthquake application, the cultural sites of the Kathmandu Valley have been included on the 2016 World Monuments Watch.
— Erich Theophile, Co-Founder & Executive Director, KVPT
The architectural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley is inextricably tied to the living, intangible cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley including festivals such as the Indra Jatra as photographed at the Kathmandu Darbar Square.
