Male – The Lively Capital of the Idyllic Insular State

Male is the lively trade and governmental centre of the Maldives lying in the middle of this island state. The whole area of Male is just 2 square kilometres. About 70 thousand malis live there, which is one third part of the whole population of the Maldives. All economic, political and cultural contacts are managed by the local institutions of the island Male. The town area is devided into four districts – Maafaanu, Heinveiru, Machangolhi and Galolhu. The streets in the northern town district are really worth seeing. The sultan park on the Medhu Ziyaaraiy Magu is beautiful. The national museum of the Maldives is also situated there. Entering the pompous porch, you encounter a great two storeyed museum building, which is a remainder of a sultan palace that once stood on this place and was partially demolished in 1969. Beautiful plants and trees surround a pond making this place to a peaceful oasis in the heart of this lively island. Just do not get frightened by the old guns and the German torpedo from the First World War staying in front of the building. The museum gives you an interesting overview about the history of the Maldives. The exhibits include different archaeological finds from the buddhistic and hindoo times such as Buddha statues, demonic sculptures or heads set in stone, weapons and ancient documents telling about the life in the times of sultan reigns. The museum opens every day from 9 till 11:30 am as well as from 3 till 5:40 pm. If you go out from the park of sultan, turn to the right and go some 100 metres further, you will encounter the oldest mosque of Male. It was designed and built in the 12th century anno Domini by the first sultan of the Maldives Muhhamed-uk-Adil. The sultan Iskander I finished the building in its present form in 1656. Really impressive is the material of the building. The whole construction is made of coral lime. Even quite far away, you can still distiguish the golden dome of the mosque. The symbol of the town is the barrel-shaped Munnaru minaret lying apart of the big mosque on the Medhu ziyaaraiy Magu. The legend says that it was built by the Sultan I who was poisoned by his concubine because she wanted to get his regency.
The best shopping place on Male is the port area with its numerous narrow streets and lanes. You can buy a great variety of herbs and oriental spicies on the market. Art collectors will be amazed by the numerous antique shops. With a little bit of luck you can even find ancient coins from the sultan times. A really good strategy to deal with the traders in the souvenir shops is to ask them for something special, go away and then return in two hours. This could bring you some real treasures! Should you get lost on Male, you can easily find the way through the big circular road surrounding the whole town.

© YachtBooker