The island of Maldives has of late become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the whole of South East Asia. It is not only the divine beaches and powdery white sands that make Maldives attractive, for amidst this beauty there is a rich and deep rooted culture. The simple and quaint Maldivian lifestyle and culture are both intriguing and admirable. And among the many aspects of Maldivian society that depicts this culture is Maldivian architecture.
The true essence and the heart of Maldivian culture are fast being replaced by rapid modernization and urbanization. In fact the capital city Male has so rapidly transformed into something new that not a trace of authentic Maldivian architecture remains. What once existed in the city today is only found in historic diagrams and age old books. There is however islands away from Male where a few traditional Maldivian structures still stand. Treasured and protected, these offer a unique glimpse into the past of the Maldives. The lifestyle of a traditional Maldivian echoes simplicity in every step of the way and this is only reflected in the Maldivian architecture. A typical Maldivian house would be built primarily using coral cement and the roofs would be made of thatched coconut or palm branches. Houses are downright simple and are furnished only according to requirement and rarely exhibit any sort of elaborate decoration. The typical Maldivian kitchen known as the ‘badhige’ is designed detached from the main unit of the house. Even the bathrooms are built away from the living area and are usually open air and large in size. The Maldivian houses were filled with light and had plenty of ventilation to take in the blessed Maldivian air. All of these features makes the Maldivian architecture unique and one of a kind and gives you a glimpse of the beautiful yet simple Maldivian lifestyle that even today prevails in the nation.
The Maldives is a destination that loves its tourists. This holiday make your booking at the Naladhu Maldives and enjoy luxury at its epitome. Being the finest of the Maldives luxury hotels, here you are sure to be treated like royalty.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.