Among the many interesting cultural attractions in Male, the Maldivian capital is Mulee-Aage Palace in the historic centre of the city that served as the official residence of Maldivian presidents from 1968 to 1998 and for a brief period between 2009 and 2012 thereafter. It was declared the official residence of the president in 1952 after the abolition of the Maldivian monarchy but no president lived in it for a continuous period then due to the unstable political situation of the time. Prior to this it was the home of an heir to the throne of the country. When in 1998 the president moved to a more modern and spacious residence the building became his office.
Mulee Aage meaning new house, was built between 1914 and 1919 as a residence for Prince Hassan Izuddin according to a design popular for manor houses in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The royal family was probably influenced by close ties it had with the country at the time particularly as the prince was educated in Colombo. The site on which it was built had harboured royal residences from the mid 18th century. It is close to the historic Friday Mosque and the Grand Minaret and just steps away from the former royal palace. When Prince Izuddin was banished from Male, Mulee Aage remained unoccupied for many years until WWII when it became the Ministry of Home Affairs. Although Mulee Aage never served as a royal palace it is the closest to a royal palace in the Maldives as all traces of the royal palace has been obliterated.
The interior of Mulee Aage was changed to suit the requirements of a presidential palace over the years though the exterior of the building remained unchanged. Now painted blue and white the building displays trends in manor house designs of the early 20th century in Sri Lanka such as the gabled roof trimmed in white, exterior decorations, a pillared verandah and carved hard wood doors. Records of the period indicate that much of the construction material and fittings were sourced from India and Sri Lanka. As an important state building Mulee Aage is not open to sightseers.
Maalifushi Maldives a very new small luxury resort in the Maldives is the first to be built on remote Thaa Atoll. While white sandy beaches and clear water and air are no doubt great incentives to visit, regular sightings of whale sharks and unspoilt scuba diving destinations are the biggest draws. The accommodation at this rest, one of the finest island resorts in Maldives comprises of beautifully designed spacious overwater suites and villas and two bedroom villas with exquisite vistas and plunge pools. Among the other incentives to visit are its dining venues that serve its signature COMO Shambhala cuisine and a delightful selection of Japanese and international dishes and the COMO Shambhala Retreat that offers specially designed spa treatments that are part of its total wellbeing program.
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.
