One of the oldest and ornate mosques in Malé, Maldives, the Old Friday Mosque was recently added to the tentative UNESCO World Heritage cultural list for being a prime example of sea culture architecture.
History
Built during the reign of Ibrahim Iskandar, in the year 1658, the Old Friday Mosque was constructed primarily of coral and originally featured a thatched roof. Later on, in 1668, a minaret patterned after those found in Mecca was added. According to the UNESCO appraisal, the mosque represents the achievements and creative excellence of the Maldivian people.
Location
The mosque is located just opposite the Muliaage, the President’s House and the Medhuziyaaraiy. It can be easily accessed from via speedboats or planes from outlaying Maldives Island resorts including the likes of The Residence Maldives by Cenizaro.
Things to See
With the capacity to accommodate up to 1,372 devotees at a time, the ornate mosque features intricate carvings with inscriptions from the Quran. The high vaulted ceilings and arches lend to the airy spaciousness of the building. The roof and the interior are fashioned with traditional Maldivian lacquer work and wood carvings as well.
Useful Information
Do dress appropriately covering one’s shoulders, arms and legs as it’s a place of worship. Entrance is free and visiting in the morning hours is well recommended.
Damon Starky is a creative nomadic travel writer, who is well informed and experienced on a wide range of interests that would connect to the needs of any type of traveler. Google+
