Kotte Buruzu, Malé: enduring sentinel of the island’s defences

Tucked along the northern waterfront of Malé, the Kotte Buruzu is a stoic coral-stone bastion that once stood guard over the island’s harbour. Dating back to the late 17th century during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin I, the fortification was part of the city’s outer defences, designed to repel foreign incursions and safeguard the bustling trade hub within.

Its construction followed traditional Maldivian masonry techniques, using finely cut coral blocks interlocked without mortar—an engineering method both resilient and graceful. The bastion’s curved outer wall and elevated vantage point gave defenders a strategic view over approaching vessels, while the inner chambers served as lookout posts and storage for armaments.

Though weathered by salt winds and time, Kotte Buruzu remains one of the last standing fragments of Malé’s historic fortifications. Today, its presence is a quiet reminder of an era when stone and sea walls defined the capital’s boundaries, and when the safety of the island depended on the vigilance of those who manned its ramparts.