Visit to Malé

Your visit to the Maldives will be incomplete without a visit to the capital Male'. Situated almost in the centre of the nation, Male' is the commercial center, seat of government and the location of many important historical and religious landmarks. With over seventy thousand people living in this island that measures just over 1.77 square Km, Malé is one of the smallest capitals in the world but also one of the busiest. It is certainly the busiest and most populous island in the Maldives. However, despite the concentration of population in Male', it is immaculately clean and hygienic. Among the many things you can do in Male' are:

Shopping:

Given the choice of goods and services available in Male' – the centre of commercial activity, it is the busiest place for shopping in the Maldives. Local and imported handicrafts, souvenirs, cigarettes and electronic items are sold. The prices in Male' have now become highly  competitive, with minimum or no duty levied on most items. Most of the souvenir shops are in the main business area – only a few minutes’ walk from the jetty where most tourists usually arrive. Just walking around browsing the shops would prove to be entertaining as well. Also the Duty Free shops at the Male' International Airport have quite a good range of high quality items such as electric/electronic gadgets, cameras, hi-fi stereo equipment, watches, cosmetics, cigarettes and a variety of other merchandise.

Eating:

Eating in the capital Malé is recommended would be an experience in itself too. The hotels, restaurants and most guesthouses serve western and eastern specialties in addition to continental and a few local dishes. The cafés – locally known as ‘hotaa’ is the best place if you would like to savour the local tastes. You must not leave the Maldives before trying out at least a few of the Maldivian short eats known locally as ‘hedika’. Many of these are unique to the Maldives and come in sweet, sour and spicy varieties.

Sightseeing:

There are a number of interesting places to be seen in Malé. Among them are:

The Islamic Centre is not only the most famous architectural landmark in Malé. In addition to a grand mosque that can accommodate more than 5,000 worshippers at once, the Islamic Centre houses a library and conference hall. The mosque is one of the biggest and finest mosques in the Southeast Asian region; and its golden dome and minaret are standouts that can be seen before reaching the shores of Malé. Also, the ornate woodcarvings and Arabic calligraphy inside the mosque pay tribute to the talents of Maldivians.

Sultan Park – having demolished the palace buildings except for the three-storey one that houses the national museum, the grounds of the former palace was converted into a public park when the Maldives changed from a Sultanate to a Republic.

National Museum is housed in the only remaining building of the former Sultan’s Palace that was demolished when the Maldives changed from a sultanate to a Republic. The Museum displays a variety of articles ranging from thrones, palanquins to the first ever printing press used in the Maldives. The museum is open from 9:00 to 11:30 and 15:00 to 17:30 everyday except Fridays and public holidays.

The Hukuru Miski (Friday Mosque) built in 1656 is another fascinating monument that is an essential stop on your tour of Malé. All the walls in the mosque are built with coral stones intricately carved with Arabic calligraphy and ornamental patterns; the roof, window frames and doors are made of different kinds of wood such as teak, sandalwood and redwood. Also, the mosque’s compound has a number of ancient tombstones erected in memory of past sultans, heroes and nobles.

Munnaaru (Minaret) Close to the Friday Mosque is this gleaming white minaret also built by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar in 1675. Prayer calls were heard from here before the Islamic Centre was built.

Medhu Ziyaarai – the shrine of Abu-al Barakath Yusuf al Barbaree, the Moroccan scholar believed to be responsible for the advent of Islam in the Maldives in 1153 AD is a must-see monument too.

Mulee-aage, adjacent to the Medhu Ziyaaraiy was originally built by Sultan Shamsudheen III for his son just before the First World War. The building was declared a government property when the sultan and his son were banished in May 1936. Since then it has been used as an office complex by subsequent governments and when the country became a republic in 1953, Mulee-aage became the Presidential Palace. The present government also used it as such until the current Presidential Palace was completed in 1994.

Theemuge – the Presidential Palaceis one of the most beautiful buildings in the Maldives, and could easily be counted among the most wonderful examples of modern eclectic architecture in South Asia.

Mohamed Thakurufaanu Ziyaarai – tomb of Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu who liberated the country from 17 years of Portuguese rule. This tomb in the compound of Bihuroazu Kamana Miski, is a monument of respect for this Sultan whose victory over the Portuguese reign is now marked on National Day.

Jumhooree Maidan – The Republic Square, adjacent to the northern waterfront is one of the most popular places for children and their parents in the afternoons. On the eastern end of the square is the official flag post with the largest flag in the Maldives – hoisted 24 hours.