Dominating the eastern side of Durbar Sq, this white neoclassical building lost large chunks of its once elegant facade during the earthquake and is scheduled for renovation. It stands as a memorial to the imported European style that became fashionable in Nepal during the Rana period.
Built as part of the Hanuman Dhoka palace in 1908, it makes a strange contrast to the traditional Nepali architecture that dominates the square. It is said to have been modelled on London’s National Gallery following Prime Minister Jung Bahadur’s visit to Europe.
