Joanna James
You may have heard all about the sublime sun-kissed shores of the Maldives, but did you know it has some captivating monuments too? Most of them which include key attractions can be found in the capital, Male, and are worth visiting on a tour of the island.
This tall structure with its steel spheres may only seem like an intriguing work of modern art, but it is much more than that; it offers a poignant reminder of the tsunami of 2004 that caused so much damage and the loss of lives. Situated along Male's Boduthakurufaanu Magu, this striking monument has significant meaning to its design as well; the rising pillars signify the tsunami's waves, the 20 encircling steel spheres represent the nation's atolls and the rods are reminders of the 74 victims whose names can be found here too.
When holidaying in the Maldives, excursions to Male will give you a chance to visit the famed Old Friday Mosque. Referred to as "Hukuru Miskiy", it is one of the nation's oldest mosques and dates to the 17th century. It was built during the rule of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I and has some distinctive features worth noting including that it has mainly been constructed out of coral stone. It also has some rather ornate woodcarvings and lacquer work, an ancient graveyard with tombstones carved from coral and an adjoining minaret.
A modern architectural marvel, the Grand Friday Mosque is another sacred site that should be on your itinerary when visiting Male on guided tours offered by resorts such as Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi. The mosque is part of the Islamic Centre and is the largest of its kind in the Maldives. Most notable is its golden dome and striking minaret. Inside, the main prayer hall which can accommodate up to 5,000 people, features remarkable chandeliers, a distinctive woven carpet, intricate woodcarvings and calligraphy in Arabic on the walls.
This monument in Male is a reminder of an event in the country's history where its very democracy was threatened. On 3rd November 1988, there was an attempted coup against President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom led by a few locals and aided by a terrorist organisation. However, with the aid of Indian armed forces, the coup was crushed though not without casualties. The monument pays tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives on this fateful day while also symbolising the bravery of the Maldivians.
Another of the interesting things to do in Male is to visit Mulee'aage Palace which is the president's official residence. While you can't go inside, it is nevertheless a fascinating sight to take in. Constructed in 1906 similar in style to colonial bungalows found in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) at the time, it features blue and white exteriors, a red roof and a lovely garden in front. Also in the compound is "Medhu Ziyaaraiy", which is the tomb of Abul Barakat Yoosuf Al Barbary, a Moroccan scholar who introduced the nation to Islam.
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