Parque Infantil

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A park honoring five poets of the Spanish language, all with connections to León: Rubén Darío, Alfonso Cortes, Salomón de la Selva, Azarías Pallais and Antenor Sandino Hernández. At night you can grab a piece to eat at one of the food stands.