Leon
Today, we set off to discover the city, following a tourist itinerary, adjusting it to the opening and closing times of the sites.
" León " is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the country.
Founded in 1524 by " Francisco Hernández de Córdoba " in front of the volcano " Momotombo ", the city was moved to its current location after the earthquake in 1610.
The ancient city is known today as " León Viejo ".
The new city of " León " was to develop very rapidly and was divided into several districts (creoles, natives, blacks, mulattos and whites) but on August 21st 1685 it was attacked by English pirates leaving the cathedral in ruins as well as several churches and public buildings.
In 1854 a fratricidal struggle broke out between Granada and León.
Leon asserted himself as the liberal capital of the country, opposed to the conservative Granada
The liberals then decided to call on the North American flibuster "William Walker" to overcome Granada’s pretensions by burning the latter !!!
* Catedral de la Asunción de la Bienaventurada Virgen María: it was built between 1747 and 1814 in a baroque style and is supposed to be be the largest cathedral in Central America. We go up onto its roof to have a dazzling view of the surrounding volcanoes.
* the Shrine of Nuestra Señora de La Merced dedicated to the patron saint of the city
Many buildings of great architectural richness and very colourful make the historical centre very pleasant.
During our walk we stop at the hairdresser.
Then we find an Internet cafe to publish our last video… for nothing ... Christophe forgot to record the video on his USB key... Too bad !!!
Leon
We leave our gas station to reach the town of "Leon".
We cross many fields where coffee beans dry in the sun on large black tarps. Workers rake them all day long.
Once in town we give our laundry to a " lavenderia " held by a Nicaraguan woman married to a Frenchman who offers us a book written by her husband.
We then join the city centre in a " tricycle " very popular means of transport used by the inhabitants. There are 2,000 of them in Leon and they work from 6:00 in the morning until nightfall. The competition is fierce.
As usual we head to the tourist office to get information and we learn that a free guided tour is organised at 4 pm on the same day.
In the meantime we visit the " Fondacion Ortiz Guardian Art Museum ".
Probably the most beautiful museum of contemporary art in Central America.
The collection, spread over two buildings with courtyards and green patios, includes paintings from Picasso, Chagall, Miró and a number of renowned artists from Nicaragua.
We join our guide in front of a " mural " retracing the history of Nicaragua. It is not a classic tour of the monuments of the city but a tour focused on the history of the country.
Our very passionate guide, Léonce, tells us about the creation of his country with all its stages of tragedy and joy.
Nothing is forgotten: the first inhabitants, the Spanish conquest, the pirates, the domination of the United States, the revolts, the dictatorships and the independence.
He often compares the character of the Nicaraguans to a volcano ... always boiling !!! An unforgettable tour.
ROAD BOOK 086
MAVROS ODYSSEE