Sights and landmarks in León

Sights and landmarks in León

1. See

   Center for Initiative on the Environment

   Centro de Iniciativa Medio Ambiental

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

   Closed · opens 2 pm·C$20

2. See

   Central Park

   Parque Central

   A lively park with a fountain and shady trees in front of the cathedral. The park is a great place to people watch as it is packed with families and youth chatting and playing, with vendors selling ice cream and drinks. On weekends musicians, dancers or street performers may add to the atmosphere. Of the eight streets leading up to the square, six have been converted to nice pedestrian streets. For a guided walking tour of the city, gather at the northeastern corner of Central Park at 9:00.

3. See

   Centro Cultural y Museo Rigoberto López Pérez

   Casa del Obrero

   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.

4. See

   El Fortín de Acosasco

   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.

   Free

5. See

   Environmental Botanical Garden

   Jardín Botánico Ambiental

   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".

   Mon-Fri 08:00-16:00·C$146 for foreigners, C$25 for Nicaraguans

6. See

   Ermita San Pedro

   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.

7. See

   Iglesia El Calvario

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

8. See

   Iglesia Guadalupe

   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 of this church faces north towards the cathedral.

9. See

   Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza

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

10. See

    Iglesia San José

    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.

11. See

    Iglesia San Juan Bautista

    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.

12. See

    Iglesia San Juan de Dios

    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.

13. See

    Iglesia San Sebastian

    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.

14. See

    Iglesia de San Francisco

    Santuario Diocesano San Francisco de Asís

    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. Also note the small colorful woodcarvings depicting the forteen stations of the cross. Outside the church there is a statue of Saint Francis talking to a wolf.

15. See

    Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de Sutiava

    One of the oldest and 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 more typical of most León churches.

16. See

    Iglesia de la Merced

    Baroque church from 1762. It belonged to the friars of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy until they were expelled from Nicaragua in 1830. The church's statue of Saint Mary of Mercy came from Barcelona a few centuries ago.

17. See

    Iglesia de la Recolección

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

18. See

    Iglesia el Laborio

    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.

19. See

    León Cathedral

    The largest cathedral in Central America and a UNESCO World Heritage site, built in a mix of baroque and neoclassical styles. The thick, low-slung, fortress-like walls were explicitly engineered to survive earthquakes. With construction started in 1747 the cathedral was inaugurated in 1780. The connected parish church in the south-eastern corner was built in the 1790s. The façade and towers were added between 1810 and 1820. In 1909, the cathedral received a series of 14 large paintings by José Antonio Sarria Mejía, depicting the stations of the cross. The cathedral is the final resting place of the poet Rubén Darío, as well as many other notable Nicaraguans. For a small fee you can climb the stairs up to the roof, where you get a great view of all of León's churches and the surrounding volcanoes. You also get a close-up view of the giant sculptures holding up the cathedral bells; just don't ring them. A guided tour brings you into the cellars beneath the cathedral, with old antiques and burial places. Facing the southern side of the cathedral is the episcopal palace and the beautiful San Ramón seminary.

20. See

    León Viejo

    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.

    Tue-Sun 08:00-17:00·C$50 natives, C$365 foreigners, which includes an excellent guided tour, less for children

21. See

    Museum of Myths and Legends

    Museo de los Mitos y Leyendas Tradiciones

    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.

22. See

    Museum of the Revolution

    Museo de la Revolucion

    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.

    C$50

23. See

    Ortiz-Gurdián Art Museum

    Centro de Arte Fundación Ortiz Gurdián

    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.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00·C$30 general, C$15 student (with ID), C$130 foreigner

24. See

    Park of the Poets

    Parque de los Poetas

    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.

25. See

    Parque Arlen Siu

    A park commemorating the revolutionary singer Arlen Siu, who was killed in 1975 by the Somoza dictatorship at the young age of twenty. The park has a small zoo, the best playground in León and the municipal nursery.

26. See

    Rubén Darío Centennial Park

    A park built in 2016 on the one hundred anniversary of the death of poet Rubén Darío. The park has a big monument honoring the poet, surrounded by a beautiful flower garden.

27. See

    Rubén Darío Museum

    Museo Archivo Rubén Darío

    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.

    Tue-Sat 9:00-17:00, Sun 9:00-12:00

28. See

    Zoo Arlen Siu

    Zoológico Alren Siu

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

    Free

29. See Not mapped

    Street Murals

    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.

30. See

    Iglesia San Filipe

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

31. See

    Parque Infantil

    The playground for children closest to the city center.

32. See

    Parque San Juan

    Lively park shaded by trees in front of the San Juan Church.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to León (CC BY-SA 4.0).