In the heart of the capital city of the island collective that forms the Maldives, is a very special mansion of sorts. The ‘Muliaage’ as it is known until recently used to be the official home of the Maldivian President. Located in close proximity to Maldives resorts such as Baros Maldives, this prestigious abode is a hallmark in the heritage of the exquisite island nation.
The former Presidential mansion completed construction sometime in the year 1919 after being commissioned in 1914 by Sultan Mohammed Shamsudden for his son, heir Prince Hassan Izzudin, upon his return to the Maldives following his education at Royal College in Sri Lanka.
The style of the residence is influenced by the bungalows of Sri Lanka that were present during the colonial-era and was built upon the site of the Shamsudeen ancestral home.
Until the time of about 1934, the mansion saw many celebrations and exquisite gatherings while it was under the ownership of Prince Hassan Izzudin. Although he was known to find the house inauspicious he nevertheless spent a great deal of time there until he was exiled in 1938 to one of the Maldives’ southern-most islands.
The house remained in a state of disuse until the second world war in which it was used as the Ministry of Home Affairs by Mohamed Idi Ami. He eventually converted it into the Presidential home upon achieving the position following the abolition of the Maldivian Monarchy.
Some very famous guests have spent their time at the Muliaage, including the likes of Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Although the house isn’t open to the public, one can still gaze upon it from the outside, so if you happen to find yourself in the capital city of the Maldives, be sure to pass by this national treasure.
Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+