Maldives Museums comprises of the National Museum in Maldives. The National Museum in Maldives was founded on the day of Maldives’ National Day. It was opened for the public on the 11th of November 1952 and was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of the country, Mohamed Amin Didi.
The National Museum in Maldives was built to preserve the historical remnants dating from the time the Islamic people arrived at Maldives. It houses objects made out of stone and royal antiques from the ancient times, even before the arrival of Islam. These objects give us an idea of the life and times of the ancient people. It also gives the Maldivian an idea of who their ancestors are and establishes their identity as citizens of a unified nation.
The National Museum in Maldives is located in the capital city of Male. The museum covers three storeys and is situated in the Sultan Park area of the capital. The area is part of the Maldivian Royal Palace premises. The architecture and interiors of the museum have not been renovated and it still bears the imprint of the Sultanate days. The handwritten Quran on the walls of the building has managed to stand the test of time and survives till date.
The diverse collection of the National Museum includes a large number of remnants from the past. These include royal furniture, thrones, shoes, costumes, ornaments, coins, weapons, manuscripts and potteries. The ancient artifacts that generate the maximum interest in the crowd include a wooden plank dating back to the 13th century. The other one is an exquisite costume owned by Sultan Ghazee Mohammad and known as Feyli Kolhu. There is also a 11th century Lord Buddha's coral stone head which attracts attention.
