The architectural drawings of the historic ‘Usgekolhu’ museum has been completed and the project will begin soon, Minister for Language, History, and Culture, Adam Naseer Ibrahim has said.
Minister Adam Naseer told PSM News that the Administration has attached special emphasis to preserving Maldives’ culture and heritage through such historic landmarks.
The Minister said the heritage sites in Utheemu, Thakandhoo and Baarah will also follow a similar modernisation blueprint.
Describing it as an important heritage project announced by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the Minister said the development of ‘Usgekolhu’ as an interactive museum is also underway. ‘Usgekolhu’ will also be developed as a heritage site, and the drawings for the project have already been completed, he added.
"There is another heritage project of the President. It is to turn Usgekolhu into an interactive museum. Usgekolhu will be restored and transformed in a very different way. Now the drawing is completed. We are now fine tuning the details. The project will begin soon and will be completed swiftly,” the Minister said.
According to Minister Adam Naseer, part of Sultan Park where ‘Usgekolhu’ is located will also be developed as part of the new interactive museum under the project adding that the Kalhuvakaru Mosque and the model of the legendary ‘Kalhuoffummi’ will be displayed in the newly developed area.
The ‘Usgekolhu’ palace was built in 1903 by Sultan Mohamed Imaduddeen VI of the Maldives for his Egyptian wife. However, the kingdom came to an end shortly after and the palace was used for various purposes by subsequent monarchs.
‘Usgekolhu’ was used to house the National Museum until the inauguration of the new Museum in 2010.