PATAN – Conservation at a World Heritage Site in Nepal

The shared history of the World Heritage site Patan and the Institute of Conservation, University of Applied Arts Vienna, goes back 15 years now. Annual on-site campaigns under the leadership of Gabriela Krist facilitated the conservation, documentation and research of several stone monuments, metal, ivory and textile objects, wall paintings, collection care projects at the Patan Museum and disaster response measures in Nepal’s vibrant cultural hub. Devastating earthquakes, severe climate conditions and environmental pollution in the Kathmandu Valley are complex challenges for heritage preservation. Collaboration with various stakeholders, particularly the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust, and the inclusion of local traditions and crafts contributed to the modification of the usual conservation method. Contributions of several academic disciplines in this book offer a multi-facetted perspective on the preservation of the cultural heritage in Patan.


Gabriela Krist, Institute of Conservation, University of Applied Arts Vienna (retired)
Martina Haselberger, Institute of Conservation, University of Applied Arts Vienna