The National Museum, Male

National museum in Maldives is one of the main tourist attraction destinations of the country. It is located in the Sultan Park, which was once a part of the Sultan's palace, it is basically a conversion of the old palace building to a museum. The museum has a valuable collection of objects of the past that highlights the history and rich cultural heritage of the country.

The Maldives national museum was opened for public display on the National Day, 1 Rabi-ul Awwal 1372 A.H., (19th November 1952). Rabi-ul Awwal is the third month in the Islamic calendar. A.H refers to ‘anno Hegirae’ or ‘After hijarah’ and is a representation of Islamic calendar to modern years.  It was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister, Ameer Mohamed Amin Didi. The purpose of setting up the museum was to preserve the history of Maldives and to encourage patriotism amongst the people.

The museum houses a number of fabulous objects belonging to the Sultans. It consists of the ornaments and costumes worn by various kings and queens, stone items of the Maldives' pre-Islamic period, paper and cloth manuscripts, arms and armor, photographs of important personalities, anthropological objects and other such items that exhibit the past Maldivian way of life.

The National Museum complex consists of two large buildings separated by Sultan's Park in the old palace grounds across Medhu Ziyaarai Magu (street) inland from the gold-domed Islamic Centre (Grand Friday Mosque). It show casts the opportunity "to examine and reinterpret the culture and whole way of life the Maldivians, before and after converting to Islam".

The Maldives National Museum, built and financed by the Chinese government. It was presented to Maldives on 10 July 2010, was officially opened by President of Maldives, on Independence Day 26 July. It exhibits mainly pieces from the old museum at the nearby Sultan’s Palace, while the other new building across the park features an exhibition of 120 faiykolhu or Maldivian legal deeds and other official documents dating from the 1600s to the 1930s.

It is one of greatest museum complex that includes Male’s best garden park providing lots of space for people to express themselves in various ways. Here people can recreate themselves and can take refuge from the daily hectic life. A place where they can relax, experience a bit of entertainment, and improve their historical and cultural knowledge.

The amazing collection inside the great museum displays ranges from thrones and palanquins used by former sultans to the first printing press used in the country. It also features the rifle used by Mohamed Thakurufaanu in his fight against the Portuguese in the 16th century, ceremonial robes, headgear and umbrellas used by Sultans to statues and other figures dating from 11th century, excavated from former temples.

A variety of artefacts from times past would give an idea of the unique rich culture and history of this island nation. A visit to the museum gives an instant insight to the wealth of history which most visitors never suspect existed. People perspective of the Maldives solely as a of a tourist destination changes at this point.

The old National Museum is housed in the only remaining building of the former Sultan’s Palace, which is now the Sultan’s Park. It is an Edwardian colonial-style building of three storey, fairly low key from the outside compared to the amazing collection inside.