Male' the Capitalof Maldives

Worldwide Hotel Reservations

Male,The Capital

Male' - the capital
Male’ would certainly count as one of the smallest capitals in the world in terms of its physical size. A third of the country’s population, about 75,000 live in Male’. Different from any other island in the country, Male’ is a city of high-rise buildings and paved roads. While the government offices are located in one area, the main streets are lined with shops and offices. In the old bazaar area, which still houses the country’s hub of wholesale and retail trade, the lanes are so narrow that a single vehicle would find it difficult to navigate through, especially with its throngs of busy people.
There are no beaches on Male’; instead seawalls surround all its sides. However, a newly landscaped artificial beach area and adjoining breakwater stretching all the way round to the harbor in the southwest of the island provide a pleasant jogging route, especially popular in the evenings when it is cooler.

Male’ is still relatively green and pleasant. The streets in the residential areas are shaded with trees, at places forming an arch overhead. A fair number of main streets are lined with big trees providing shade on both sides. Even a stroll around it would offer interesting sites and shots for the memories; the fish market and the local market at the northern waterfront, the new harbor in the south-west corner and the 400-year old Friday Mosque, to name a few. A stroll around the residential and shopping areas would provide an insight into the life and livelihood of the residents of the capital. Or simply sit down and relax at one of the small parks dotted around the capital and just observe the pace of life.

You may be surprised at the large number of motor vehicles in Male’. If you prefer, you could make a tour of the capital by taxi. Many taxi centers operate a number of comfortable, air-conditioned and well-maintained taxis. The maximum rates that can be charged are set by the government; the basic fare for a single journey for four persons or less, from one point to another is Rf.10.00, luggage carried in the trunk is charged at the rate of Rf.5.00 per item; the basic charge increases to Rf.20.00, from 12.00 midnight to 06.00 in the morning and charters cost MRf.85.00 per hour.

The Islamic Centre
The most famous architectural landmark of Male’ is the three-storey Islamic Centre, opened in November 1984. The Center's Grand Friday Mosque, Masjid-al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu-al-A'z'am, is the biggest in the Maldives, accommodating more than 5,000 worshippers. The shining golden dome of the mosque is a standout as are also the interior walls decorated with beautiful woodcarvings and Arabic calligraphy. The Center also houses a library and a conference hall.

Hukuru Miskiy
The Hukuru Miskiiy, or the Old Friday Mosque, was built in 1656 during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar I. The interior and exterior walls of this historic mosque, built with coral stones, are intricately carved with Arabic writings and ornamental patterns. The roof, window frames, and doors are made of different types of wood including teak, red sandalwood, and redwood. There is an abundance of beautiful coral carvings and expert lacquer-works inside the mosque, the latter being most conspicuous in the laage, or domes, built as part of the ceiling. The compound of the mosque also encloses a number of ancient tombstones erected in memory of past sultans, heroes, and nobles.

Medhu Ziyaarath
Opposite the Hukuru Miskiiy is the Medhu Ziyaarath, the shrine of Abu al Barakaath Yusuf al Barbari, a North African, believed to be responsible for converting the Maldives to Islam way back in 1153 AC.

Mulee-Aage
Mulee-aage, the former Presidential Palace, was originally built by Sultan Shamsuddeen III for his son just before the First World War. After the sultan and his son were banished in May 1936, the house was declared a government property. The Mulee-aage was officially declared and used as an office complex by subsequent governments. After the country became a Republic in 1953, the Mulee-aage became the President's Official Residence. In 1986, the house was renamed the Presidential Palace and was upgraded to hold official functions and to accommodate visiting Heads of States and other foreign dignitaries. Mulee-aage is currently used as the President's office.

Munnaaru
This gleaming white minaret forms part of the Hukuru Miskiiy and was also built by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar in 1675. The chief muezzin of Male’ called the faithful to prayer from this minaret before the Islamic Centre was built.

Sultan Park & The National Museum
Maldives changed from a Republic to a Sultanate and back to a Republic in a span of just 16 years (1953 to 1968). The Sultan's Palace however was demolished except for a three-storey building and the palace grounds were turned into a public park, known as the Sultan Park.
The surviving palace building within the park is today the National Museum. Opened on 19 November 1952, the museum displays a large and varied collection of artifacts showing a glorious bygone era including stone objects from the pre-Islamic period; royal antiquities like thrones, palanquins, royal sunshades, costumes and shoes, coins, and ornaments, arms and armor. Coral stone sculptures, lacquered wooden containers, miniature hand-written Qur’an (Koran), hookahs, traditional log drums from the Royal Palace used in the popular music of Bodu Beru, and the very interiors of the museum - retained from the days of the Sultanate - are the added attractions. Two of the most significant items on display are the coral stone head of Lord Buddha, an 11th century piece from Alifu Thoddoo and a 13th century engraved wooden panel from Hukuru Miskiiy. Timings: 9 AM - 3 PM. Closed on Fridays and public holidays.

Tomb of Mohammed Thakurufaanu
This tomb is erected in the compound of the Bihuroazu Kamanaa Miskiiy, in memory of Sultan Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu, regarded as the greatest of national heroes. He liberated the country from Portuguese rule, who had been occupying the land for 15 years after defeating Sultan Ali VI in 1558. The day of independence falling on the 1st of the Islamic month of Rabeeu'l Awwal, is regarded today as the National Day.

Jumhooree Maidan (Republic Square)
Beautifully laid out with carpet green grass and lush vegetation, this public square, constructed along the northern waterfront in 1989, is Male's most popular place for social gatherings and relaxation. It is also one of the favorite evening hangouts for children. On the Eastern end of the square stands the official flag post on which is hoisted a permanent flag, the largest in the country.

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 country 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 Local Market
The Local Market just a block away is divided into small stalls. Here the pace is slower and the atmosphere more peaceful. The atmosphere is enhanced by the pale green light that filters through the fine green mesh that adorn all its windows and doors. 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.

ABOUT MALDIVES