National Museum, Male

One of the best place to visit in Male’. You will be able to get more information about the history of the Republic of Maldives.

A must visit place when u are in Male. Exhibits the history of Maldives. Very informative and provides u the foundation to fall in love with Maldives.

The three-storied museum (old building) is located in the Sultan Park in Malé, which is part of the site of the Maldivian Royal Palace compound dating back to the 17th century. The two-storey Us-gēkolhu is the only remaining structure of the palace demolished by fire in 1968. The new building of the museum is also located in Sultan Park. The building was designed, built and financed by the Chinese government. The building was presented to the Maldives by the Chinese government on 10 July 2010, but was officially opened and declared as the national museum two weeks later on Maldives' Independence Day, 26 July 2010. The interior of the museum has been retained from the days of the Sultanate, including the handwritten Qur'an engraved on the walls of the building.

10 am to 4pm Sun to thurs. Adult 100 mvr Kids 20 mvr An excellent display begins with display from medieval periods of Maldivian history. They have weaponry, religious stuff and household wares as well as many impressively carved Arabic- and Thaana-engraved planks. Upstairs is a display of modern period lacquer-work boxes for which Maldives is famous as well as various pieces of antique technology like the country’s first gramophone, telephone and a massive computer. They have an impressive marine collection as well.

With the purpose of preserving history and instilling patriotism among the people of the Maldives, the museum has a large collection of historical artifacts, ranging from stone objects to fragments of royal antiquities from the Buddhist era to the rule of Islamic monarchs.