It is said that the Coral Stone Mosques embody the carpentry skills of the Maldivian. The intricate art on the coral stone is to be seen only in the Maldives. The biggest coral stone structure is found in the capital of Maldives, Malé.
A brief history
The Buddhist era is when the coral carpentry dates to. Coral carpentry continued until the introduction of masonry, which was in the eighteenth century. The sole reason for coral being used in such monumental buildings is since it was both long-lasting and easy to find. The architecture of the mosques is a display of the blend of Islamic and Buddhist cultures in the Maldives.
The coral Mosques in Maldives
The only remaining coral mosques are those which were built in the ancient times. There are six of these well-known mosques located in various islands, but the most famous is the Friday mosque located in Malé. Not too far from popular Maldives Islands resorts, such as the likes of The Residence Maldives by Cenizaro, this mosque is a must see if you get the time.
Environmental complications
Removing corals is no longer allowed; the main reason for this is because it was found that coral carpentry could cause long term damage to the reefs. Maldives relies heavily on the ocean since it’s a country with the more territorial sea than dry land, it needs to make use of the resources it can from the ocean.
The future of coral carpentry
Although Maldivians do not practice coral carpentry any longer, it is a skill that is being taught to the future generations.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+