Cora Cora Maldives
Culture
This might be your first experience of the wonders of the Maldives,
but our island has been welcoming visitors for more than 900 years.
And once you’ve set foot on the soft sand glowing in the warm sun,
who can blame them?Â
Step this way to peek into a time when the island bustled and hustled with travelers who stopped by for different reasons. They didn’t come here to relax – although they almost certainly did some of that when they arrived – but as a trading post.
Ships sailed the Spice Routes, and our atoll (ring-shaped cluster of coral islands) was the ideal spot to stop, do a little trading, restock and wait for the weather and winds to turn in their favor.
Excavations on Maamigili – the island Cora Cora Maldives is on – have revealed more than 60 remarkable finds. And we have also sourced more than 400 fascinating relics from across the Maldives, which we have curated into the Museum of Island Heritage.
When you arrive for check-in, take time to look around the museum gallery in the lobby. Here, you’ll see 17th-century porcelain from China’s Qing dynasty, an oil lamp thought to be around 1,500 years old from the Early Byzantine era and impressive cowrie shells, which were used as currency in the 17th century.
In the centre of the island, explore our outdoor site, where you’ll discover ancient memorials dating back 500 years, and perhaps the most extraordinary find on the island – two temple tanks thought to be around 900 years old. These shallow wells were used for bathing and ceremonial purposes, and are remarkably well preserved.Â
Finally, visit our 120-year-old traditional Maldivian house, with displays of traditional island life in the 1900s, to get a feel for what’s it might be like to live on Maamigili year-round – an idea you’ll probably be considering after staying on our sunny shores for a few days.
History buffs won’t want to miss the chance of a free guided tour with our museum expert, so ask the concierge for times.
