- Address: Chaandhanee Magu, Malé, Maldives
- Contact phone: +960 332-2254
- Opening hours: daily, except Friday and Saturday, from 9:00 to 17:00, break - 12: 00-15: 00
- Entrance fee: adult ticket - 50 ruffians ($ 3.25), children - 15 ruffians ($ 1).
Despite its modest size, there are several interesting places in Mali that are worth visiting in order to get a better acquaintance with the culture, customs and traditions of local residents . One of them is the National Museum, which tells the story of the Maldives .
Location:
The building of the National Museum in Male is located in the center of the capital island, on the territory of Sultan Park , in the former residence of the Sultan.
History of the museum
For the first time the National Museum of the Maldives was opened in mid-November 1952 by the efforts of the country's Prime Minister Mohamed Amin Didi. It was located on 3 floors of the museum complex in the colonial style, which was part of the royal palace of the XVII century. The purpose of creating the museum was to preserve and demonstrate to all those interested in the cultural and historical heritage of local residents.
During the fire in 1968, the museum was destroyed. The new building was erected in the same place, in the park of Sultan in Male. The project was developed and implemented with the financial support of the Chinese government. The newly constructed National Museum in Male was opened on July 26, 2010. The date was not chosen by chance - this is the Independence Day of the Maldives. In addition, Rabeeul Awwal is held on this day every year.
Unfortunately, in 2012, during the attack of religious extremists, some of the exhibits of the museum were seriously damaged, including 3 dozens of Buddhist sculptures made of coral stone.
What interesting things can you see in the National Museum?
The exposition of the museum contains a huge number of exhibits and artifacts. Among them you can see:
- thrones and antique furniture;
- ancient weapons;
- historical costumes;
- collection of coins;
- old household utensils;
- ceremonial vestments and ornaments of sultans;
- sculptures from the coral of excavations of the pre-Islamic period;
- various subjects that tell of the struggle against the colonizers (for example, there is a commemorative plaque and 2 Japanese motorcycles with a lot of bullet holes, reminiscent of two revolutions in the country, in 1980 and 1988, respectively).
On the walls of the National Museum of Male hang art paintings - portraits of historical characters in traditional costumes.
The collection of the first floor is devoted to the exhibits of the time of arrival in the country of Islam. Here are located, daggers, spears, palanquins, sculptures from Buddhist temples and the footprint of the Buddha's foot. On the second floor there are musical instruments, and on the third floor - personal belongings of the rulers.
There is also an archaeological exposition in the museum, where you can see items found during excavations under the guidance of Tour Heyerdahl, old records and statuettes.
Finally, we should pay some attention to the National Gallery of Art located in the same building, which is an exhibition hall for contemporary Maldivian artists.
The very building of the National Museum looks both stern and elegant, being one of the business cards of Male. Around the museum building there is a wonderful park with very picturesque alleys and mystery peculiar to the East.
How to get there?
Since the city of Malé is very small, all its sights , including the National Museum, can be reached on foot. You need to go to the city center, towards the Great Mosque of the Islamic Center . Across the road from it is Sultan Park, and in it you will see the building of the museum.