León (Nicaragua)

Old church consecrated in 1788 with a bright yellow front in Mexican baroque style.

A colorful baroque-style church from 1764 with a vivid depiction of the crucifixion inside.

A relatively simple church located in front of San Juan Park. It was built between 1620 and 1650 but reconstructed in a neoclassical style in the 18th century, with large wooden columns. It used to be the church of the old hospital.

A 17th-century colonial church with a beautiful altarpiece.

A small church that was built as a chapel to Iglesia San Filipe. The church is old, but it has a modern façade after renovations in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

With its ashlar masonry the church has an almost medieval look, but it is one of the newer churches, built in 1934.

Built in 1639, this is one of the oldest churches in Leon, located adjacent to the former Franciscan convent. The church closed in 1830 when the Franciscan friars were expelled, but it was reconstructed in the 1960s. It has a nice bell tower and some beautiful altarpieces. Note the small colorful woodcarvings depicting the fourteen stations of the cross. Outside the church there is a statue of Saint Francis talking to a wolf.

Small church with a simple exterior. Has a beautiful altar piece, depicting Saint John of God, the Assumption of Mary and Saint Raphael the Archangel.

Dedicated to San Nicolás de Tolentino, this is one of the oldest churches in León, built in 1618. It has many beautiful statues of different saints.

Protected by a modern roof, only ruins remain of this old historical church from the 18th century, after it was bombed by the Somoza dictatorship in 1979. A new parish church has been built next to the ruins.

The main church in the southern part of León, built at the end of the 19th century. Unlike the typical west facing entrance of other León churches, the entrance faces north towards the cathedral.

A baroque chapel completed in 1718, with a simple but beautiful exterior. Of four small historic chapels in Sutiava, this is the only one that survived the turbulent times of the early 19th century.

Built between 1698 and 1710, this is th second largest churches in León, serving a traditionally indigenous community in Sutiava. The rustic wood interior is a pleasant deviance from the often ornate styles that are typical of most León churches.

Ruins of the first church in León, built in the first half of the 16th century in the old indigenous community of Sutiava. After the relocation of León in 1610, it served as Nicaragua's cathedral until 1622. At the end of the 17th century it had become too small for the growing indigenous population, and new much larger church was built two blocks to the east. The church was destroyed in 1835 due to the eruption of Volcán Cosigüina, and it was never rebuilt. The ruins now serve as a quite and beautiful archeological site.

The finest art museum in Central America, located in several inter-connected colonial houses. Excellent collection of 20th-century Nicaraguan and Latin American art, but there is also indigenous, colonial and contemporary Latin American art. The museum also has European art, including work by Picasso, Chagall and Miró. Even if you hate art, make a visit to enjoy the museums beautiful colonial architecture.

The museum consists of a room with some displays and artifacts, none of which offer any explanations in English. The most unique aspect of this museum are the old guides, who provide an animated commentary on the beatings, arrests, street fights and assassinations of the revolutionary period, much of which are based on their own experiences. They will be sure to point out a picture of their younger self, rifle and all.

The beautiful colonial childhood home of writer and poet Rubén Darío, founder of the modernismo movement in Spanish literature. The exibit includes family furniture and historical books. His most famous book, Azul, is a collection of short stories and poems.

A beautifully restored colonial building honoring the poet Rigoberto López Pérez. In 1956, in this building, he assassinated the dictator Anastasio Somoza García (father of the other two dictators, Luis and Anastasio Somoza Debayle), after which he was killed in a hail of bullets. The building has some impressive art work including a mural by painter Ricardo Morales, as well as poems written on the walls.

This is a museum with two themes. One part commemorates traditional myths and legends, with life size displays of costumes and other traditional objects. The second part commemorates the anti-Somoza activists who were jailed in the building during the 1970s, with drawings on the walls and a prominently displayed statute of an urban guerrilla holding a handmade bomb. Some sarcastically now call it the Museo de las Traiciones (Museum of the Treasons) as a reference to how the Sandinista rank and file has been cheated by president Daniel Ortega and his cronies.

An educational center about animals, plants, biodiversity and the environment.

The original site of León on the western shore of Lake Xolotlán at the foot of the Momotombo volcano, until the city was moved in 1610. Not available elsewhere, this UNESCO World Heritage site shows the ruins and layout of an early colonial city, with the Calle Real leading up to the Plaza, the Cathedral, other churches, and residencies of its leading citizens. There is also has a small museum about the indigenous population.

For the best view over the city with the volcano range in the background, head to this historical fortress southwest of León. During the Somoza dictatorship, the fortress was used both to control the city and as a prison for political opponents. Best reached from Sutiava, but there is also a road from Barrio Guadalupe.

As you’re wandering around the streets, keep a lookout for large and small street murals, located in various places around the city. The murals usually commemorate historical events such as the 1959 massacre of protesting students by the military under the Somoza dictatorship.

Run by the UNAN-León university for both public education and research. The botanical garden has recreated the four different forest types that exist in Nicaragua, with cacao, cinnamon, avocado, mango, coco and many other trees. You will also see birds and other wildlife. The entrance fee includes an extensive guided tour along stone covered forest paths. Ask the guide why a plant with long thick leaves is called "lengua de suegra".

A very small zoo with monkeys, birds, tigers, turtles, pelibuey sheep and a lion. Fun for small children.

León has a beautiful theater and concert hall that was inaugurated in 1885, making it the oldest in Nicaragua. In 1904 it was named after José de la Cruz Mena, Nicaragua's most famous composer, who was a native of León until 1907 when he died from leprosy at the age of 33. Outside the building there are statues of Thalia and Melpómene, the Greek muses of comedy and tragedy. The theater only has a few cultural events every month, so take the chance when there is one.

The only movie theater in town, primarily showing popular North American movies. With three auditoriums, multiple movies are shown each day. Some movies are shown both dubbed, earlier during the day, and with subtitles, later in the evening.

Newly built stadium that's home field for the Leones de Leon, the local professional baseball team. Order some vigoron, get a Victoria and enjoy.

Two swimming pools, water slides and a splash area for children.

Opened in 2018, this water park offers six pools and many water slides of different sizes suitable for different ages. On-site restaurant.

Fun water park with multiple swimming pools and slides. Popular among children and families.