The Colonial Style and Character of Leon, Nicaragua
The city of León was founded in 1524 by the conqueror Francisco Hernández de Córdoba.
This city was abandoned in 1610 after an eruption of the Momotombo volcano left extensive damage and flooding from Lake Managua.
The city was moved some kilometers further away from Momotombo, to the location where it is today, next to the indigenous town of Subtiava, which it later merged with.
The ruins of León Viejo or Old León were excavated in 1960 and placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in the year 2000.
León has always been one of the most important cities of Nicaragua, economically and culturally.
The city functioned several times as the capital city after Nicaragua's independence from Spain in 1821 until Managua was established as capital in 1858.
Some things that won't go unnoticed in León are that it is very hot and the many students make the city seem young and vibrant.
It is considered the intellectual center of Nicaragua with its several universities, the first founded in 1813.
León is regarded as an important agricultural, industrial and commercial center of the country due to its production of sugar cane, cattle and peanuts.
León used to be the hub of cotton growing but the cotton economy has declined.
Tourism is not very big although it is popular amongst more seasoned travelers and is growing.
The culture of León reflects Spanish and Native American heritage.
León holds many colorful celebrations to commemorate local saints' days and ecclesiastical events.
A majority of the citizens are Catholics but Protestants and Evangelicals continue to grow.
León still has an architecturally interesting center with many old, colonial houses, streets, monuments, and churches.
The churches La Merced, El Calvario, San Juan, San Francisco, Sutiava and La Recolección are among the most interesting.
The Cathedral in the central square is one of the highlights of a visit to Leon.
A very stunning display of grand neo-classical architecture, the place is beautifully maintained, and the walls are decorated with exquisite frescoes.
Another major attraction in the department of León is the volcanoes.
A range of volcanoes, the Maribios Range cuts across the department.
Among the volcanoes is the youngest in all of Central America: Cerro Negro or "Black Hill".
Nicaraguans refer to some of the volcanoes as "cerros" or hills but the name "volcán" is also used.
This black hill offers great possibilities for hiking as well as for sand-skiing or volcano boarding.
More climbing can be done on the Telica Volcano, which has a huge crater and fantastic views.
The Momotombo active volcano is one of the most challenging volcanoes to climb.
Located in one of León's most notorious former prisons, the Museum of Traditions and Legends offers paper-mache style exhibits detailing the site's gruesome history.
The museum also explores the region's legends and folklore.
The exhibitions themselves aren't very impressive but the prison itself is an interesting building and its bullet-scarred walls hold a lot of history.
There are also some interesting political and historical murals painted outside as well as in other parts of León.
This city was abandoned in 1610 after an eruption of the Momotombo volcano left extensive damage and flooding from Lake Managua.
The city was moved some kilometers further away from Momotombo, to the location where it is today, next to the indigenous town of Subtiava, which it later merged with.
The ruins of León Viejo or Old León were excavated in 1960 and placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in the year 2000.
León has always been one of the most important cities of Nicaragua, economically and culturally.
The city functioned several times as the capital city after Nicaragua's independence from Spain in 1821 until Managua was established as capital in 1858.
Some things that won't go unnoticed in León are that it is very hot and the many students make the city seem young and vibrant.
It is considered the intellectual center of Nicaragua with its several universities, the first founded in 1813.
León is regarded as an important agricultural, industrial and commercial center of the country due to its production of sugar cane, cattle and peanuts.
León used to be the hub of cotton growing but the cotton economy has declined.
Tourism is not very big although it is popular amongst more seasoned travelers and is growing.
The culture of León reflects Spanish and Native American heritage.
León holds many colorful celebrations to commemorate local saints' days and ecclesiastical events.
A majority of the citizens are Catholics but Protestants and Evangelicals continue to grow.
León still has an architecturally interesting center with many old, colonial houses, streets, monuments, and churches.
The churches La Merced, El Calvario, San Juan, San Francisco, Sutiava and La Recolección are among the most interesting.
The Cathedral in the central square is one of the highlights of a visit to Leon.
A very stunning display of grand neo-classical architecture, the place is beautifully maintained, and the walls are decorated with exquisite frescoes.
Another major attraction in the department of León is the volcanoes.
A range of volcanoes, the Maribios Range cuts across the department.
Among the volcanoes is the youngest in all of Central America: Cerro Negro or "Black Hill".
Nicaraguans refer to some of the volcanoes as "cerros" or hills but the name "volcán" is also used.
This black hill offers great possibilities for hiking as well as for sand-skiing or volcano boarding.
More climbing can be done on the Telica Volcano, which has a huge crater and fantastic views.
The Momotombo active volcano is one of the most challenging volcanoes to climb.
Located in one of León's most notorious former prisons, the Museum of Traditions and Legends offers paper-mache style exhibits detailing the site's gruesome history.
The museum also explores the region's legends and folklore.
The exhibitions themselves aren't very impressive but the prison itself is an interesting building and its bullet-scarred walls hold a lot of history.
There are also some interesting political and historical murals painted outside as well as in other parts of León.
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