The steel column
Ringed by spheres.
Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0
A memorial in Malé to the victims of the tsunami of 26 December 2004, when the waves of the Indian Ocean earthquake reached the Maldives about two hours after the quake, 2,500 kilometres from its epicentre, killing dozens of people and flooding many islands. In Malé itself the water ran some 250 metres inland along the streets, knee-deep in parts of the town, and the highest wave in the country, 4 metres, was measured at Vilufushi island. Many other islands were hit, among them Maafushi, where new homes and a sewage system were built after the disaster with Red Cross and Red Crescent support. The monument is a tall polished-steel column that narrows towards the top, with shining steel spheres spiralling up around it, set on a round turquoise-and-blue platform near the water and ringed by palms. The visit is free and in the open air, and a few minutes are enough, so it fits easily into a walk along Malé's waterfront. It is lovely at sunset, but it remains a place of remembrance, so a quiet visit suits it best.
Ringed by spheres.
A walk by the water.
The loveliest hour here.
Malé's western waterfront
National Museum of the MaldivesThe national museum of the Maldives first opened on 11 November 1952; today it o15 minutes walk4.2
Islamic Centre and Grand Friday Mosque, MaléMalé's largest mosque, officially the Masjid al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-16 minutes walk4.8
Malé Old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy)The oldest and most ornate mosque in the Maldives, in the heart of the capital, 18 minutes walk4.5
Villingili Island (Villimalé)A small island about two kilometres west of Malé, officially named Villimalé and22 minutes walk4.3It remembers the victims of the tsunami of 26 December 2004, which reached the Maldives about two hours after the Indian Ocean earthquake, flooded Malé's streets up to 250 metres inland and killed dozens of people across the islands.