Leon

León was the capital city of Nicaragua for over 200 years until replaced by Managua in 1851. Along with Granada, its rival colonial city, it served as the country's political, military, cultural and religiuos center. It is said that the only reason that Managua was made the capital is because it was halfway between the two rival cities: very Liberal León and very Conservative Granada. The same political/social philosophy exists in the two rivals today.
León is still regarded as the "intellectual capital" with a university, several religious colleges and the Metropolitan Cathedral, considered to be the largest cathedral in all of Central America. Its massive architecture is representative of religious art from the mid-1700's to the present. The paintings inside the cathedral are of masterpiece quality. The country's most prestigious political, religious and intellectual figures are laid to rest in the cathedral. Rubén Darío, the 19th century Nicaraguan poet, considered to be one of the greatest in the world, is buried there at the foot of Saint Paul's image, and guarded by a sorrowful lion.
The construction of the cathedral was begun in 1746, but it took 100 years to complete the enormous building. Other churches well worth your visit are the parish church of Subtiava (1530), El Calvario, La Recolección, La Merced, San Felipe, Zaragoza, San Francisco and El Laborio.
The Rubén Darío Archive Museum is located in the poet's famous house "Four Corners". It contains a collection of his personal belongings and a library of poetry in Spanish, English and French.
In the neighborhoods of León, such as Laborío, San Felipe, Subtiava and San Juan, you can still see some of the old colonial homes with their exquisite wrought-iron balconies.
León, and the surrounding area, is also noted for its ceramics. In particular the town of La Paz Centro, south of León, is famous for its handmade pottery. Twelve miles from León is the town of Telica where you can enjoy the thermal springs known as the San Jacinto Bubbling Springs.
Near León, and dominating the skyline of Managua and León Viejo (Old León), is the volcano Momotombo. In the Chorotega Indian Language, Momotombo means "active and close to waters". This is an accurate description of the perfectly proportioned cone which rises 4,100 feet over the Lake Managua area. It is possible to camp on the lakeside, but a permit is required to climb the volcano.
The 1 hour and 20 minute ride on the scenic road to Leon borders the Xolotlán Lake or Lake Managua with an impressive view of Momotombo and Momotombito volcanoes. Once in the León area one day of tours gives you barely enough time to see it all. Also included in the Leon tour is a visit to the volcanic fields of San Jacinto.
Old Leon

Twenty five miles form León, at the foot of Momotombo, is León Viejo (Old León). The present day city of León was established when this original site was destroyed by an earthquake in 1609. That quake, and subsequent eruptions from Momotombo destroyed every building. Recent excavations have unearthed several of these ruins including the cathedral, the convent and the governor's mansion. You are able to walk amidst these ruins which give you a glimpse into life as it was in the beginning of the 17th century.
A little further north from León is the city of Chinandega in the heart of a rich agricultural area. Cotton is the area's most important crop. On the outskirts of the nearby town of Chichigalpa is San Antonio, the largest sugar refining and rum processing plant in Nicaragua. At El Realejo, between Chinandega and the old part of Corinto, you can see a colonial shipyard. Clearly visible from the town square are the ruins of colonial church burned by the pirates.

Highlights:

Colonial architecture:

"The Cathedral of León". A special tour is dedicated to this massive Christian monument. Inside is buried the famous Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío and Church hierarchy as well.
"The Garden of the Prince" has the original cathedral's bell on display. The top of the Cathedral offers a unique bird-eye-view of the city and its surrounding volcanoes.
"Sutiaba Church": built in 1700 is completely restored, showing its original colors and wood masonry. The nearby 500 year old tree where Adiax the Indian chief was hanged by the Spaniards still gives shade for visitors from the hot afternoon sun.
Other colonial well preserved buildings and the "Rubén Darío Museum" complete the city tour in 2 to 3 hours. La Recoleccion Church is the best photo oportunity in town.

Nature:

"Hervideros de San Jacinto", 15 minutes from León there is an area full of small craters with boiling mud and water vapor. You can walk on this hot surface around the craters in one of the most spectacular encounters with the mega-force of the volcanoes. 30 minutes at the area.

Special Interest:

"Rum Distillery": 27 miles (45 km) to the north of León in the town of Chichigalpa, site for sugar cane plantations, a sugar mill and the famous Rum "Flor de Caña". The visitor will understand the complete process and finally will taste the different types of Rum produced in the tropical country (groups only). The visit takes 1 hour.
"Leon Viejo": 32 km off the main road between Leon and Managua you will find the ruins of the original city of Leon, destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1610.

Hotels: Colonial and Europa - small town hotels, some rooms air-conditioned.

Other Areas: [Bluefields] [Corn Island] [Granada & The Isletas] [Leon] [Managua] [Masaya]
[Montelimar] [Los Pueblos] [Ometepe] [Rio San Juan] [Selva Negra] [Solentiname]

León was the capital city of Nicaragua for over 200 years until replaced by Managua in 1851. Along with Granada, its rival colonial city, it served as the country's political, military, cultural and religiuos center. It is said that the only reason that Managua was made the capital is because it was halfway between the two rival cities: very Liberal León and very Conservative Granada. The same political/social philosophy exists in the two rivals today. León is still regarded as the "intellectual capital" with a university, several religious colleges and the Metropolitan Cathedral, considered to be the largest cathedral in all of Central America. Its massive architecture is representative of religious art from the mid-1700's to the present. The paintings inside the cathedral are of masterpiece quality. The country's most prestigious political, religious and intellectual figures are laid to rest in the cathedral. Rubén Darío, the 19th century Nicaraguan poet, considered to be one of the greatest in the world, is buried there at the foot of Saint Paul's image, and guarded by a sorrowful lion. The construction of the cathedral was begun in 1746, but it took 100 years to complete the enormous building. Other churches well worth your visit are the parish church of Subtiava (1530), El Calvario, La Recolección, La Merced, San Felipe, Zaragoza, San Francisco and El Laborio. The Rubén Darío Archive Museum is located in the poet's famous house "Four Corners". It contains a collection of his personal belongings and a library of poetry in Spanish, English and French. In the neighborhoods of León, such as Laborío, San Felipe, Subtiava and San Juan, you can still see some of the old colonial homes with their exquisite wrought-iron balconies. León, and the surrounding area, is also noted for its ceramics. In particular the town of La Paz Centro, south of León, is famous for its handmade pottery. Twelve miles from León is the town of Telica where you can enjoy the thermal springs known as the San Jacinto Bubbling Springs. Near León, and dominating the skyline of Managua and León Viejo (Old León), is the volcano Momotombo. In the Chorotega Indian Language, Momotombo means "active and close to waters". This is an accurate description of the perfectly proportioned cone which rises 4,100 feet over the Lake Managua area. It is possible to camp on the lakeside, but a permit is required to climb the volcano. The 1 hour and 20 minute ride on the scenic road to Leon borders the Xolotlán Lake or Lake Managua with an impressive view of Momotombo and Momotombito volcanoes. Once in the León area one day of tours gives you barely enough time to see it all. Also included in the Leon tour is a visit to the volcanic fields of San Jacinto. Old Leon Twenty five miles form León, at the foot of Momotombo, is León Viejo (Old León). The present day city of León was established when this original site was destroyed by an earthquake in 1609. That quake, and subsequent eruptions from Momotombo destroyed every building. Recent excavations have unearthed several of these ruins including the cathedral, the convent and the governor's mansion. You are able to walk amidst these ruins which give you a glimpse into life as it was in the beginning of the 17th century. A little further north from León is the city of Chinandega in the heart of a rich agricultural area. Cotton is the area's most important crop. On the outskirts of the nearby town of Chichigalpa is San Antonio, the largest sugar refining and rum processing plant in Nicaragua. At El Realejo, between Chinandega and the old part of Corinto, you can see a colonial shipyard. Clearly visible from the town square are the ruins of colonial church burned by the pirates.

Highlights:
Colonial architecture: "The Cathedral of León". A special tour is dedicated to this massive Christian monument. Inside is buried the famous Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío and Church hierarchy as well. "The Garden of the Prince" has the original cathedral's bell on display. The top of the Cathedral offers a unique bird-eye-view of the city and its surrounding volcanoes. "Sutiaba Church": built in 1700 is completely restored, showing its original colors and wood masonry. The nearby 500 year old tree where Adiax the Indian chief was hanged by the Spaniards still gives shade for visitors from the hot afternoon sun. Other colonial well preserved buildings and the "Rubén Darío Museum" complete the city tour in 2 to 3 hours. La Recoleccion Church is the best photo oportunity in town. Nature: "Hervideros de San Jacinto", 15 minutes from León there is an area full of small craters with boiling mud and water vapor. You can walk on this hot surface around the craters in one of the most spectacular encounters with the mega-force of the volcanoes. 30 minutes at the area. Special Interest: "Rum Distillery": 27 miles (45 km) to the north of León in the town of Chichigalpa, site for sugar cane plantations, a sugar mill and the famous Rum "Flor de Caña". The visitor will understand the complete process and finally will taste the different types of Rum produced in the tropical country (groups only). The visit takes 1 hour. "Leon Viejo": 32 km off the main road between Leon and Managua you will find the ruins of the original city of Leon, destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1610. Hotels: Colonial and Europa - small town hotels, some rooms air-conditioned.