Book and enjoy
big savings. From hotel resort accommodations for your
business trip to a luxury island holiday for your vacation,
experience in Maldives. An
Experience that will always Reminisce...
Interesting
Places
Male' fish
market
The main commercial area of Male’
is located on the northern waterfront of Male’.
This area is the main hub of trade and is
a hive of activity through out the day. The
waterfront and the by-lanes in the area are
crowded with shops stocked with a variety
of goods. Also in the area are the Male’
Fish Market and the Local Market selling a
range of local produce. While some ‘dhonis’
from all corners of the Nationality unload
dried fish, fresh fruits and vegetables from
the atolls others are seen loading everything
from foodstuffs to construction materials.
The pace increases in mid-afternoon as fishing
‘dhonis’ start returning with
their day’s catch. The catch, mainly
tuna are carried across the road into the
open-sided market and laid out on the tiled
floors. As fast as the fish are brought in
they are bought and taken away by men from
all walks of life. The market is kept scrupulously
clean, washed down each day and disinfected
The Islamic
Centre
The Islamic Centre is the most vivid architectural
landmark of Male’. You would see the
spectacular golden dome in all its majesty
dominating the skyline, as you approach Male’,
from any direction. The building symbolizes
the importance of Islamic religion, which
had ruled all aspects of life in the Nationality
for centuries. Completed in 1984, the Centre
consists of a mosque big enough for 5000 people,
an Islamic library, conference hall, classrooms
and offices.
The
Local Market
The Local Market, just a block away from
the Male’ Fish Market on the northern
waterfront, is divided into small stalls.
Here the pace is slower and the atmosphere
peaceful, compared to the hectic activity
in the rest of this neighborhood. Each stall
is filled with a variety of local produce
mainly from the atolls. Here you will find
different kinds of local vegetables, fruits
and yams, packets of sweetmeat, nuts and breadfruit
chips, bottles of home made sweets and pickles
and bunches of bananas hanging on coir ropes
from ceiling beams. Another building just
next door sells smoked and dried fish.
Huskuru
Miskiiy
Built in the 17th century the Huskuru Miskiiy
or Friday Mosque served the population of
Male’ as their main mosque for almost
four centuries, until the Islamic Centre and
Grand Friday Mosque took over the function
in 1984. Built by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar
in 1656 the mosque is a masterpiece of coral
curving and traditional workmanship - probably
the best display of coral curving anywhere
in the world. The walls of the mosque are
hewn together with blocks of filigree-curved
coral blocks. Heavy wooden doors slide open
to the inner sanctums with lamp hangings of
wood and panels intricately curved with Arabic
writings. The area surrounding the mosque
is a cemetery with a legion of intricately
curved coral headstones. The Munnaaru or minaret
in front of the mosque, used to call the faithful
to prayer was built in 1675 by the same Sultan.
Mulee-aage
Right in front of the Hukuru Miskiiy is
Mulee-aage, a palace built in 1906 by Sultan
Mohamed Shamsuddeen III, replacing a house
dating back to the mid-17th century. The palace
with its wrought iron gates and fretwork friezes
on its roof edges and well-kept garden was
intended for his son, but the Sultan was deposed.
During World War II vegetables were grown
in its garden to help relieve food shortages.
It became the President’s Official Residence
when Maldives became a republic in 1953 and
remained so until 1994, when the new Presidential
Palace was built. At present Mulee-aage houses
the President’s Office.
The
National Museum
The National Museum is housed in the only
remaining building of the former Sultan’s
Palace, which is now the Sultan’s Park.
It is an Edwardian colonial-style building
of three storey, fairly low key from the outside
compared to the amazing collection inside.
The articles on display range from thrones
and palanquins used by former sultans to the
first printing press used in the Nationality,
the rifle used by Mohamed Thakurufaanu in
his fight against the Portuguese in the 16th
century, ceremonial robes, headgear and umbrellas
used by Sultans to statues and other figures
dating from 11th century, excavated from former
temples. A variety of artifacts from times
past would give an idea of the unique and
rich culture and history of this island nation.
A visit to the museum gives an instant insight
to the wealth of history most visitors never
suspect existed. No longer will you think
of the Maldives solely in terms of a tourist
destination. The museum is open daily except
Friday and public holidays from 9.00 to 11.40
and 3.00 to 5.40. A small fee is charges for
admission.
