The National Museum of the Maldives has revealed more than 1,000 visitors took part in its free tour.
The National Museum was opened to the public free of charge to mark its 70th anniversary. The museum was open from 1000hrs to 1800hrs on November 26. The museum revealed it received a great response from the public. People of all ages have visited the site, including a large number of children, the museum said.
Visitations to the National Museum are usually available with a special ticket which varies for students, the public, and foreigners. Tickets are sold at USD0.98 for local students and USD2.02 for foreign students. Tickets cost USD1.30 for children and USD1.63 for adults. Tickets for foreigners are priced at USD5.07 for children and USD10.08 for adults.
The first National Museum was opened in November 1952. The current National Museum was opened on July 26, 2008. The building where the museum is currently operating was built with the assistance of the government of China.
The National Museum is a one-stop place for all information about the history, heritage, and culture of the Maldives. The museum also preserves information on the changes taking place, the stages of development, the reigns of kings, and the special events celebrated in the Maldives. There are many objects that show the life of people of different periods. These include items that reflect the culture, heritage, and art of the people.
Some of the collections in the museum include pre-Islamic relics, post-Islamic relics, and some relics brought in connection with the demolition of the palaces lived by kings and queens. It also includes a collection of coins and notes from different periods, a collection of letters, a collection of the Qur'an, written artifacts, and a collection of boats used for navigation. There is also a special museum of the Maldives Police Service (MPS).