- Address: Medhuziyaaraiy Magu, Male 'City 20115, Maldives
- Tel: +960 332-2100
- Working hours: every day except Friday and Saturday, 8: 00-14: 00
- Opening: 1919
Historical sights in the Maldives are very few, and this despite the fact that the country has a long and rather turbulent past. Perhaps the whole point is in its natural features - in fact this country is located on coral islands, atolls . One way or another, the Muliage Palace is one of the few architectural monuments not only of the Maldivian capital, but of the entire island state.
History of the building
At the beginning of the 20th century, the last of the sultans, Muhammad Shamsuddin III, ruled the Maldives. He decided to build a luxurious mansion in the capital. His idea quickly came to life. Sultan invited talented architects of that time from the island of Ceylon, and in 1919 the Muleeaage Palace was built on the island of Male . Muhammad Shamsuddin was going to give it to his son, heir to the throne, but his plans were not to come true.
After the First Republic was proclaimed in the Maldives, the building served for some time as the presidential residence. After the head of state moved to a more convenient complex, the Muliage Palace lost its status, but again returned it in 2009. In the palace, guests of honor of the Maldives are staying - for example, Queen Elizabeth II and Rajiv Gandhi.
What to see for tourists?
Today all tours of the city of Malia necessarily include a visit to this palace:
- Architecture. The Muliage building has an unusual architecture in a colonial style. It is painted in white, pink and blue colors.
- The tomb of Medu Ziyaarat. It is located close to the palace. Here Abul Barakat Youssef Al-Berberi, a Moroccan scholar, is famous, who in 1153 led the country to Islam (earlier Buddhism prevailed here).
- Neighborhood. Not far from Muliage Palace there is a luxurious green park of Sultan , large in Maldivian standards. Here roses all year round. In the park there is the National Museum of the Maldives , and directly across from it is the famous Islamic Center , also very popular with foreign guests.
How to get to the Muliage Palace?
You can get here as a part of the excursion tour, and independently. Finding a palace is not difficult - it is located in the northern part of the island, which occupies only 5.8 sq. Km. km, and is within walking distance.