To visit the Maldives National Museum is to take a journey back in time and gain a unique perspective of the country’s rich heritage and history. Here are some things to keep in mind before you visit.
Frédéric Ducarme, Maldives island, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Museum’s Location
This attraction can be found in the country’s capital, Malé. It encompasses two buildings, one of which is located within Sultan Park near the Islamic Centre. While your Maldives resort will probably be on a separate island, properties such as Kurumba Maldives do offer guided excursions to Malé giving you the chance to visit the museum.
What to Expect
The Maldives National Museum features a wealth of artefacts and exhibits including those from the country’s pre-Islamic period. Items used by royalty including costumes and thrones, musical instruments, weapons and ancient manuscripts are all part of its captivating collection.
The Two Buildings
Once part of the Sultan’s Palace, the original building of the Maldives National Museum is where you will find exhibits pertaining to the Sultans along with cloth manuscripts, stone items from the pre-Islamic period, armour and more. The nearby and newer building showcases everything from a handwritten Quran engraved on the walls to official documents, some of which date back to the 1600s.
Museum Highlights
Here are some not to be missed exhibits at the museum:
• An 11th century coral stone head of Lord Buddha
• An engraved 13th century wooden plank from Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque)
• The country’s first printing press
• A Longman’s Beaked Whale skeleton
You might also like
