Sun, sand and azure waters make up the main components of a holiday in the Maldives. However, a visit to Muliaage, the Presidential Palace in Male, will definitely add some depth to your vacation.
A bit of history
The Muliaage Palace was built by Sultan Muhammed Shamsuddeen III for his son and heir, Prince Hassan Izzuddin. The grand structure was completed in 1919 after the construction of the premises began in 1914.
Location
The palace is located in the heart of the capital, Male which is worth visiting even when staying at the best resorts in Maldives. Resorts such as Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives are ideally located just a 20 minute speedboat ride away from Male and makes getting there that much easier.
The Architecture
The building stands proudly, in resplendent architectural lines reminiscent of the colonial buildings of Sri Lanka. A bright pink roof, an intricate mosaic gate, and a blue and white façade imbue the structure with the right amount of colour, to draw the eye while on a jaunt through the bustling streets. While access to the premises and its grounds are prohibited, tourists still can get a stately glimpse through the iron gates of the Maldivian presidential palace.
Modern-day Function
What started out as a royal home, has since been the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Prime Minster’s office, and at one point in time the Supreme Court. Today, it functions as the official residence of the current president of Maldives, Abdulla Yameen. It has also been host to distinguished guests such as Queen Elizabeth ll and Rajiv Gandhi.
Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
