National Art Gallery

Partly housed in the Palace of 55 Windows on Durbar Square, this museum is noted for its large collection of Buddhist thangkas. These colorful and intricately detailed paintings on canvas were traditionally rolled up and carried by wandering monks to assist them with meditations and religious services. Also on display are carved stone figures of various Hindu and Buddhist deities that are even more impressive than the thangkas. The sun god at the foot of the stairs leading to the second floor is particularly beautiful. In a large hall on the second floor are cases displaying old illustrated books that record the histories of the kings who once ruled the Kathmandu Valley. In the section of the museum that is within the Palace of 55 Windows, there are the remains of beautiful wall murals that give an indication of how richly ornamented this palace must have been when it was first built