City of Leon, Nicaragua
In the city of Leon stands the Cathedral of La Asuncion. Built in 1742, its four feet thick white walls are an example of baroque and colonial style typical of Bourbon architecture in Central America. In the interior of the temple one finds statues and paintings more representative of the 19th century. The tombs of some of Nicaragua’s greatest poets and musicians (among them that of Ruben Dario) are lined around the altar and they serve as proof of Leon’s passion for the arts and academia. Ever since the city was founded in 1524, it became the intellectual centre of Nicaragua.
This morning we drove from the port of Corinto to Leon. We arrived in the main square at around 9:00 A.M. and gathered in a café right across the street from the cathedral. There we enjoyed a glass of the local cacao drink which is both delicious and refreshing. It was the festivity of Our Lady of Mercy and in the main square the locals were celebrating a fair for the occasion. The bells of the church tolled as the “gigantonas” (gigantic puppets representing Spanish ladies) danced to the sound of drums. We then proceeded to climbing up into the cathedral’s roof from where we were able to appreciate a spectacular view of the city, and the photo shows one of the imposing statues in the upper reaches of the Cathedral. This was followed by a visit to the local market where fruits and vegetables, spices, meats and utilitarian pottery transported us back to times when life was simpler.
We had lunch at “Hotel El Convento” a 19th century convent turned into a hotel. Then we crossed the street to visit the Ortiz Gurdian Museum of art. This museum is one of the largest collections of art in Latin America. The collection includes works of art of European painters from the 1400’s to the 20th century and an impressive sample of Latin American art both modern and contemporary.
In the city of Leon stands the Cathedral of La Asuncion. Built in 1742, its four feet thick white walls are an example of baroque and colonial style typical of Bourbon architecture in Central America. In the interior of the temple one finds statues and paintings more representative of the 19th century. The tombs of some of Nicaragua’s greatest poets and musicians (among them that of Ruben Dario) are lined around the altar and they serve as proof of Leon’s passion for the arts and academia. Ever since the city was founded in 1524, it became the intellectual centre of Nicaragua.
This morning we drove from the port of Corinto to Leon. We arrived in the main square at around 9:00 A.M. and gathered in a café right across the street from the cathedral. There we enjoyed a glass of the local cacao drink which is both delicious and refreshing. It was the festivity of Our Lady of Mercy and in the main square the locals were celebrating a fair for the occasion. The bells of the church tolled as the “gigantonas” (gigantic puppets representing Spanish ladies) danced to the sound of drums. We then proceeded to climbing up into the cathedral’s roof from where we were able to appreciate a spectacular view of the city, and the photo shows one of the imposing statues in the upper reaches of the Cathedral. This was followed by a visit to the local market where fruits and vegetables, spices, meats and utilitarian pottery transported us back to times when life was simpler.
We had lunch at “Hotel El Convento” a 19th century convent turned into a hotel. Then we crossed the street to visit the Ortiz Gurdian Museum of art. This museum is one of the largest collections of art in Latin America. The collection includes works of art of European painters from the 1400’s to the 20th century and an impressive sample of Latin American art both modern and contemporary.
