For all its sandy beaches and adrenaline-pumping water sports, the Maldives boasts a strong historical and cultural heritage with traces of ancient civilisations that date back to over 2500 years ago. If you’re looking to explore beyond the island’s tropical beauty and deep blue waters, here are some of the key cultural attractions in the Maldives that are worth a visit.
Hukuru Miskiy
Also known as the Old Friday Mosque, this is the oldest mosque in the Maldives, completed in 1658 during the rule of Sultan Ibrahim Iskander. While it is made almost entirely of carved coral stone, the mosque’s interior features intricate wood carving and lacquer work. One of its many panels celebrates the introduction of Islam to the islands and dates back to the 13th century. The mosque also features a garden and a cemetery from the 17th century. Due to its intricate structure and design, Hulur Misikiy was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Grand Friday Mosque
This is the largest mosque in the Maldives and is located within the premises of the Islamic Centre in Male. It is also one of the biggest mosques in South Asia with a capacity of 5000 people. Its sheer size and its golden dome make it one of the most recognisable landmarks of the Male skyline, while the interior walls are adorned with intricate wood carvings and Arabic calligraphy. It is possible to visit outside of prayer times but note that photographs are not allowed and all visitors must be in appropriate attire.
The National Museum
Located in Male on the west edge of Sultan Park, stands the National Museum that houses a range of cultural artefacts. These include a coral stone head of the Buddha from back in the 11th century and the Feyli Kolhu, an intricate suit made in the 16th century and which was worn by Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu. The museum building was initially opened in 1952 by the first president of the Maldives. It was then re-opened in 2010 during the Independence Day celebrations with help from the Chinese government as a gesture of friendship. If you are vacationing at Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort or any of the other villas in the Maldives and are looking for a cultural adventure, making a day trip to Male and the National Museum will be worth your while.
The National Art Gallery
Also located in Sultan Park close to the museum, this gallery showcases an extensive collection of artistic work by local artists. These include Hassan Ziyad’s realistic landscape that depicts the destruction from the 2004 Tsunami. Over the years the gallery has hosted several exhibitions like ‘Maldives Contemporary’ which featured work from 29 local painters, and ‘Breathing Atolls’, a collaborative project between artists from the Maldives and Japan that explores the effects of climate change.
