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Description
Property Name: Medhuziyaaraiy – Abu Al Barakaath Yusuf Al Barbari’s Tomb
Inventory No: 960-331-4
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2009-09-02
Country (State party): Maldives
Province: Malé
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 4° 10′ 30.89″ N
73° 30′ 18.96″ E
Historic Period: 20th century, 1st half
Year of Construction: 1906
Style: Contemporary
Original Use: Mausoleum, Residential
Current Use: Residential, Mausoleum
Architect: Unknown
Significance
Muleeage is a palace building, founded across the road of Hukuru Miskiiy, which is the eldest architectural property in Maldives. The building is a property arouse in the early years of the 20th century, 1906 by Sultan Shamseddeen III. It was built for the Sultan to live in, however he was deposed before the completion of the construction; so the palace was used as government offices for about 40 years. As the republic was announced in 1953, the president moved in. In 1986, the house was renamed the ‘Presidential Palace’ and was upgraded to hold official functions and to accommodate visiting Heads of States and other foreign dignitaries. This is a significant building with blue and white dominating colors and colorful gates.Opposite the Hukuru Miskiiy is the Medhu Ziyaarath, the shrine of Abu al Barakaath Yusuf al Barbari, a North African, believed to be responsible for converting the Maldives to Islam way back in 1153 AC.
Selection Criteria
v. to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
the “Official Residence of the President of the Maldives”
After its construction and throughout the history the building was being used for official state affairs.
As being late period buildings, they are well preserved ones in Maldives.
References
Lyon, James. Maldives. Lonely Planet Travel Guides, 2003 (retrieved from the website of Google Books: http://www.books.google.com)