Foreign diplomats who visited HA. Utheemu to attend the National Day function were treated to a tour of historical sites including the Utheemu Palace and a full lesson on the history of the Maldives, at the end of which they described the island nation as a “lucky” country.
According to the Heritage Ministry, the tour on Sunday was arranged at the request of foreign diplomats. It was attended by ambassadors and representatives from diplomatic missions from India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Foreign diplomats tour historical sites in HA. Utheemu on August 24, 2025. (Photo/Heritage Ministry)
The diplomats expressed delight at the experience, said the ministry.
The tour began from the 500-year-old sea trumpet tree or kaani gas, believed to have grown from a wooden prop used by Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu and his brothers in their weaving loom.
Foreign diplomats tour historical sites in HA. Utheemu on August 24, 2025. (Photo/Heritage Ministry)
They then visited the Utheemu Ganduvaru or Utheemu Palace, a 16th century wooden and coral stone palace that was the birthplace and home of Mohamed Thakurufaanu.
The diplomats were also treated to a full history lesson on how people came to live in the Maldives, and all major social, economic and military developments up until the rule of Mohamed Thakurufaanu.
“Utheemu is the right place to take a lesson of the history of the Maldives,” wrote Chinese ambassador Kong Xianhua on X, as he took part in the tour.
Waiting for the official function of the National Day, beautiful place and wonderful weather. pic.twitter.com/NXXgWANaWB
— Ambassador Kong Xianhua (@China_Amb_Mdv) August 24, 2025
According to the Heritage Ministry, the diplomats who attended the tour remarked that the Maldives is a lucky country with a significant and interesting history.
They also stressed the need to find more ways to promote Maldives’ history.
During the National Day function on Sunday, the people of Utheemu were conferred with the Presidential Honor for Distinguished Service to the Nation in recognition of their steadfast commitment in preserving and maintaining the Utheemu Palace, a site of profound national importance.
 
Utheemu Palace. (Photo/Coral Glass)
The Maldivian National Day celebrates the victory of Mohamed Thakurufaanu over the Portuguese occupation in 1573.
In 1558, the Portuguese invaded the Maldives, killing Sultan Ali VI in battle and establishing their rule over Maldives. Mohamed Thakurufaanu, and his brothers Ali and Hassan left the Maldives to Minicoy to make preparations for their campaign to free the country from Portuguese rule. They returned to the Maldives, and led an eight-year-long fight to free the country from the Portuguese. In order to evade capture, they would land on different islands in the darkness of the night, fought the Portuguese and left before daybreak. Eventually they landed in Male’ and defeated the Portuguese leadership in the capital.
Foreign diplomats tour historical sites in HA. Utheemu on August 24, 2025. (Photo/Heritage Ministry)
Free from the shackles of the Portuguese, the people chose Mohamed Thukurufaanu as the Sultan. He ruled the Maldives for 12 years until his death in 1585.
The Utheemu Palace is a symbol of Maldivian heritage and architecture, reflecting traditional craftsmanship and design.