Kirtipur - The City of Glory

A PLEASANTLY MAZE OF STONY ALLEYS

Kirtipur, set on a hilltop with a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley, is a well-preserved old town, vehicle-free and great for wandering.

Due to it's important location in the valley, this historical city resisted to several attaks but not to a 6 month siege. With no help from the neighbours from Patan, this Newar city surrender, expecting amnesty from the invador. Instead, in an atrocity intended to demoralize the remaining opposition in the valley, King Prithvi Shah ordered his troops to cut off the noses and lips of every man and boy in Kirtipur. The rest of the valley fell within a year. Kirtipur's residents still remember this episode and to this day the king and queen of Nepal are not alowed to enter the town.

Bagh Bhairab Mandir

This building serves a double duty as a war memorial and a cathedral. Dating from the early 16th century, it's one of the oldest and best preserved Newar pagodas in the valley.On the outside of the temple is a collection of weapons captured during the siege of Kirtipur, either by the Gorkhalis or the defenders, depending on whom you ask.

Uma-Maheshwar Mandir

At the top of the northern Hindu hump stands the elephant-guarded temple, with a great top view to all the Kathmandu Valley.