The Maldives have become infamous for the bountiful beauty of her islands, and the unique and extravagant experiences offered by her many hotels and resorts such as COMO Maalifushi, The Maldives. These wonders however, can easily distract visitors from the wondrous history and heritage behind the stunningly beautiful islands that collectively form the Maldives. Should you interest yourself with discovering the untold stories of the Maldives, then look no further than the National Museum of the Maldives.
The museum is located within the Sultan Park in the country’s capital city of Male, in very close proximity to Maldives luxury resort Cocoa Island. The three storey building intimately portrays the rich history of the Maldives islands, starting from its Buddhist origins all the through to the rise and dominance of the Islamic monarchs.
The Museum was opened in 1952, by Mohamed Amin Didi, the Prime Minister of the time. The purpose of the museum was to preserve the history of the nation as well as bestowing a sense of patriotism among the local populace. Presently, the museum is housed in a new building that was designed and built by the Chinese government.
The collections housed within the museum are vast, and showcases wondrous items such as a coral stone head of the Lord Buddha from the 11th century, brought over from the neighbouring Alif Alif atoll. This is a few remains of the museum’s pre-Islamic era artefacts since most were destroyed during an attack in 2012.
The interior of the museum is a nod to the days of Sultanate, as walls are inscribed with writings from the Quran, making it a truly unique and wondrous place rich with history and heritage. It would be an injustice if one were to visit the Maldives without taking a trip to the National Museum.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.