Tour of Male' - Capital of the Maldives

Male’ exhibits a handful of interesting historical sites.

Mulee Aage’ - the previous Presidential Palace, The Sultan Park and The National Museum

Mulee Aage’, built by the order of Sultan Shamsuddin III in 1913 for his son just before the First World War, is located in the centre of the capital. Unfortunately, the Sultan was deposed and his son never took office. When the country became a Republic in 1953 the colonial style building was designated the Presidential Palace. The historical residence of the Sultans, with its intricate white carvings built by Maldivian designers and Shri Lankan architects, is a lovely, graceful complex.

However, the Sultan's Palace was razed to the ground except for one three storey wing. The gardens (Sultan Park) became a public park and now only the massive iron gate at the entrance, opposite the Islamic Centre on Medhuziyaaraiy Magu, speaks of its former glory. The Sultan's Park forms a quiet green oasis in the now bustling capital, with ponds covered by water lilies and leafy trees filled with bird song.

The wing that survived became the National Museum, housing a complete collection of royal possessions. Its most interesting exhibits, however, are archaeological findings. Spread out against an outside wall and in a small room are the intriguing remains gathered from temples scattered throughout the atolls: Buddha heads, Bohomala sculptures, monkey statues and a broken statue piece of the Hindu water god, Makara. The most fascinating pieces are two five faced statues with long feline teeth, outstretched tongues and extended ear lobes discovered recently in Male'. Most objects in the museum belonged to former Sultans and include Thrones, Sedan Chairs, Ceremonial Parasols, Palanquins and a fine collection of boxes decorated with intricate lacquer work.

Theemuge’ - The new Presidential Palace

Built recently, this is one of the most beautiful building in the country, and could easily be counted among the most wonderful examples of modern architecture in South Asia.

The Friday Mosque (Hukuru Misikiy)

A short distance away from Muleeaage’ - the former Presidential Residence is the old Friday mosque. With its unique minaret and the tombs of national heroes and members of royalty resting in the quietness of its compound, you will are promised a glimpse of the Maldivian past. The art in the mosque and royal blue grounds are unique and invaluable. The mosque dates from 1656 and contains wood carvings which give accounts of the conversion of the Maldives to Islam. The drum-shaped minaret (Munnaaru), built in 1675, towers over the mosque summoning the devout to prayers five times a day.

Every Friday, just before lunch time, thousands congregate at this mosque, The Grand Friday Mosque and other main mosques to offer prayers.

The Grand Friday Mosque

As a visitor to Male’ you would be advised against missing the Grand Friday Mosque, named Masjid-al Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu-al-A'z'am It is the biggest mosque in the Maldives. It also includes the Islamic Centre where several important seminars of International Level, such as The SAARC General Meeting, have been held. The grand mosque with its dominant golden dome and the slender Minaret decorate the facade of Male'. It can accommodate over five thousand worshippers at a time. Nearly all visitors to Male' take time to visit this magnificent landmark.

The seafront of Male’

Fishermen, the skilled masters of the industry considered as the lifeblood of the nation are seen returning from a day’s work bringing another day of hope for the locals. Great liners, tankers and cargo ships which bring all the islands need for building, food and power, ride high at their moorings as you cross the channel from the airport to Male'. The expanse of ocean between the islands of Funadhoo, Dhoonidhoo, and Vilingili is the outer harbour where dhonis buzz around the silent, brooding beasts of the high seas like insects. The cargoes are ferried by towed lighters to the wharf of the inner harbour north of the capital. Enclosed by a coral stone artificial breakwater with narrow entrances, the harbour was built between 1620 and 1648. Various sections of the waterfront have different functions: one for the ferryboats and dhonis to the outlying islands, another for fishing boats and local cargo. In front of the Headquarters of the Security Forces is the more recent wooden official jetty where many foreign delegates have come ashore.

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