Work has commenced on transforming Usgekolhu into an immersive museum featuring modern technology.
Immersive and interactive museums are sensory-rich environments that use technology to allow visitors to feel fully present through visuals, sounds, and sometimes even scents, rather than simply viewing exhibits.
Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage contracted state-owned Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) to develop Usgekolhu as an immersive museum back in September.
FDC stated that the immersive museum at Usgekolhu will incorporate modern technology and will be designed to cater for visitors of all ages.
ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ފުރަތަމަ އިންޓަރެކްޓިވް އިމަރސިވް މަޝްރޫޢުގެ މަސައްކަތް ފެށުން#MODLCH#FDC pic.twitter.com/RitbHpmNpt
— Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation Limited (@Fdc_mv) January 30, 2026
The Ministry has remarked that the immersive museum will change how Maldivians perceive their heritage.
Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture, and Heritage Adam Naeer Ibrahim states that once the project is completed, the country’s heritage could also become a source of income.
Usgekolhu, once the residence of several Maldivian sultans, was later repurposed as the country’s national museum. Following the establishment of the new national museum, Usgekolhu was left unused and subsequently leased for 12 years to a company to develop and run a restaurant, a decision made under former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom’s administration. The administration had also reached out to Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) with the intention of developing Usgekolhu into a children’s heritage plaza. However, the project did not progress.