香港からのモルディブ・スリランカ遠征 (1-7) マレを朝散歩④ "Sultan's Park" の入口を掃き清めるご婦人方！

2019/02/17 - 2019/02/17

4年前の香港からのモルディブ・スリランカ遠征。香港から移動の翌朝、モルディブの首都マレを朝の街歩き！

予定されていた日本への出張が中止となったため、マイルでどこかに行けないかなと探したところ、JALマイルにて、香港→マレ→コロンボ→クアラルンプール→香港 のチケットが取れ、出発と相成りました。

エリア マレ(モルディブ)

• 旅行の満足度: 5.0

現在地点、街の中心にある広場 "Jumhooree Maidan"

ジュムフーリー メイダーン (共和国広場) 広場・公園

ここから、ガイドブックの案内に従って街歩きを開始！

"Presidential Jetty"

"National Security Service（NSS）Headquaters"

"Grand Friday Mosque & Islamic Center"

イスラミック センター 寺院・教会

"Republica Monument"

ここが、"Sultan's Park" の入口だったようです

スルタン パーク 広場・公園

大統領官邸 現代・近代建築

"Old Friday Mosque"

This is the oldest mosque in the country, dating from 1656. It’s a beautiful structure made from coral stone into which intricate decoration and Quranic script have been chiselled. Non-Muslims wishing to see inside are supposed to get permission from an official of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. Most of the staff are officials of the ministry, however, and so if you are conservatively dressed and it's outside prayer times, you may well get permission to enter on the spot.

Even though an ugly protective corrugated-iron sheet now covers the roof and some of the walls, this is still a fascinating place. The interior is superb and famed for its fine lacquer work and elaborate woodcarvings. One long panel, carved in the 13th century, commemorates the introduction of Islam to Maldives. The mosque was built on the foundations of an old temple that faced west towards the setting sun, not northwest towards Mecca. Consequently, the worshippers have to face the corner of the mosque when they pray ? the striped carpet, laid at an angle, shows the correct direction.

Overlooking the mosque is the solid, round, blue-and-white tower of the munnaaru ? the squat minaret. Though it looks a bit neglected rather than particularly old, this minaret dates from 1675. To one side of the mosque is a cemetery with many elaborately carved tombstones. Stones with rounded tops are for females, those with pointy tops are for males and those featuring gold-plated lettering are the graves of former sultans. The small buildings are family mausoleums and their stone walls are intricately carved. Respectably dressed non-Muslims are welcome to walk around the graveyard; you don’t require permission for this.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/maldives/male/attractions/old-friday-mosque/a/poi-sig/1440615/357012

フクル ミスキー 寺院・教会

"Muleeaage & Medhu Ziyaarath"

Muleeaage was built as a palace for the sultan in the early 20th century, though he was deposed before he could move in and the building was used for government offices for about 40 years. It became the president’s residence in 1953 when the first republic was proclaimed. At the eastern end of the building’s compound, behind an elaborate blue-and-white gatehouse, the Medhu Ziyaarath is the tomb of Abul Barakat Yoosuf Al Barbary, who brought Islam to Male in 1153.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/maldives/male/attractions/muleeaage-medhu-ziyaarath/a/poi-sig/1440620/357012

"Rasrani Bageecha"

Previously known as Sultan's Park and once part of the grounds of the now-demolished sultan’s palace, this former green lung of Male was redeveloped and renamed Rasrani Bageecha in 2017. Instead of a much-needed, meditative and shady public space, it's now a neon-clad Dubai-style entertainment zone with various playgrounds, which will at least appeal to kids.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/maldives/male/attractions/rasrani-bageecha/a/poi-sig/1097104/357012

"National Museum"

この後、"Majeedee Magu" を東へ進み、"National Football Studium" へ（続く･･･）

国立博物館 博物館・美術館・ギャラリー