MASAYA
Masaya, called the City of Flowers, is the capital city of the Masaya department of Nicaragua.
It is situated approximately 14 km north of Granada and 17 km south from Managua. The town of Masaya is situated just South of the Masaya volcano (Volcan de Masaya), an active Volcano from which the city takes its name. The 2005 population estimate was 146,000.
Masaya is located centrally to a large agricultural production region in Nicaragua. Much of the production from the departments of Masaya and Carazo and the surrounding areas is shipped through Masaya on its way north, towards Managua and Leon. Masaya is also a notable industrial center, producing footwear and clothing. Other industries in the city include the processing of fiber and the manufacture of cigars, leather products, soap, and starch. Many of the communities surrounding Masaya produce hardwood and wicker furniture, and there is a neighborhood in Masaya near the lake dedicated to the production of hammocks.
Masaya Market Castle
Masaya is known as "The Cradle of Nicaraguan Folklore" and is the very heart of Nicaraguan handicrafts. The main market in Masaya and is located next to the central bus station. The market is divided into sections, with each section serving a different need. Aside from unique Nicaraguan products such as hand woven hammocks, embroidered blouses, wood carvings, and hemp weaving the market is very diverse.
An entire section of the market is dedicated to selling electronic devices and clothing, while another area is reserved for raw meat. Everything is available in the market from hardware and beauty supplies to produce from the surrounding area.
The Mercardo de Artesanias (Craft Market) is located inside what used to be the "mercado viejo" (old market), a 1900s structure that is located near the center of the city and a couple of blocks away from the general population market. These market has been revitalized and set as a tourist spot, where crafts from Masaya and other areas of Nicaragua can be found. In addition, every thursday night there is a Noche de Verbena or Night of Revelry, where folkloric dances are presented and nicaraguan food is available for a very reasonable price (~ $1 - $2, depending on the entertainment).
Masaya is noted for the annual fall Fiesta of San Jerónimo, which is rooted in the Roman Catholic faith of the people who celebrate their patron saint, San Jerónimo. Although many people, including some Nicaraguans, may consider this event a cultural event without participating in the religious content, the vast majority are rendering their devotion to their saint when they participate in the folkloric dances and other street processions, such as the carnivalesque "Torovenado" celebrations, which often have groups and individuals who perform satires of local and national political figures. This celebration is famous within the country to the extensiveness (~ 3 months) and richness of folkloric elements.
The historical city center has open plazas and two large 16th Century baroque architecture churches.
Masaya Volcano
Masaya is the most active volcano in the region. It is actually made up of two volcanoes; Masaya and Nindiri with a total of five craters. The Spanish first described the volcano in 1524. Since then, Masaya has erupted at least 19 times. From 1965 to 1979 Masaya contained an active lava lake. The last reported eruption event at Volcan de Masaya was in 2003, when a plume reportedly shot ~4.6km into the air. Masaya is an unusual basaltic volcano because it has had explosive eruptions. The eruption in 4550 B.C. was one of the largest on Earth in the last 10,000 years.
Apoyo Lagoon
Masaya is also located south of a large, dormant Volcano with a deep crater lake, "Lago de Apoyo", at its summit. This lake is a popular attraction in the area, and is host to several hostels and small resorts. Apoyo's crater measures four miles wide and over 656 feet deep. It is used for fishing as well as water sports. It has also been a location for pre-colonial archaeological findings.
Coyotepe
Coyotepe is an old fortress which has now been converted into a museum. Built at the turn of the 20th century, this site witnessed a fierce battle between national troops and U.S. Marines in 1912. Somoza rehabilitated it as a prison in which particularly cruel treatment was de rigueur.
Granada
Granada, with an estimated population of 110,326 (2003), is Nicaragua's fourth most populous city and capital of the Granada Department. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities both economically and politically. It is situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Cocibolca and was founded by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba on December 8, 1524. It has a rich colonial heritage, seen in its architecture and layout. Granada is commonly nicknamed the "Gran Sultana del Gran Lago" - the Great Sultan of the Great Lake.
It was named after the Ancient Spanish city of Granada by Hernández de Córdoba. This was done in honor of the defeat of the last Moorish stronghold, which had been Spanish Granada, by the Catholic King and Queen of Spain. Granada, Nicaragua was historically the sister capital in Central America to Antigua, Guatemala. During the colonial period, Granada maintained a flourishing level of commerce with ports on the Atlantic, through Lake Nicaragua (Cocibolca) and the San Juan River.
The city has been witness and victim to many of the battles with and invasions from English, French and Dutch pirates trying to take control of Nicaragua.
It was also where William Walker, the American filibuster, took up residence and attempted to take control of Central America as a ruling monarch. One of Walker's generals, Charles Frederick Henningsen, set the city ablaze before escaping, destroying much of the ancient city and leaving printed the words "Granada Was Here".
For many years Granada disputed with Léon its hegemony as the major city of Nicaragua. The city of Granada was favored by the Conservatives, while Léon was favored by the Liberals. For many years there was conflict that at times became quite violent between the cities' families and political factions. In the mid 1800s a compromise site was agreed on and the capital was finally established in between both cities at Managua. For the most part Granada avoided damage during the years of conflict in Nicaragua in the 1980s.
Geography & ecology
Granada is located along the coast of the Lake Cocibolca, the world's twentieth largest lake. Granada is the capital city of the Department of Granada, which boarders Boaco and Managua to the north, Masaya and Carazo to the east and Rivas to the south. Within the same department, the River Tipitapa which connects the Lake of Managua and Nicaragua passes through it in the north. It also has three volcanic lagoons; Manares, Genirzaro, and the famous Apoyo. Apoyo, which is shared with the Department of Masaya, is the largest volcanic lagoon in Nicaragua.
Granada is a very warm city all year round, with very similar temperatures to Managua. This is due to similarities in geography with its close proximity to a lake and surrounded by high hills. Rainfall in Granada is approximately between 1,100-2,100mm annually.
The vegetation around Granada is a reflection of its climatology. Dry forests and also humid forests skirt the Mombacho volcano. The volcano is also home to a wide array of fauna. (See Wildlife of Nicaragua) The lake is also home to many creatures, both marine and freshwater creatures. It is the only fresh water lake in the world where sharks live (Nicaragua shark & Sawfish). Fishing in the lake is quite good and fisherman both commercial and recreational regularly catch guapote and mojarras, as well as sardines. Nicaragua has recently banned freshwater fishing of the Nicaragua shark and sawfish because of population decline.
Other important cities and towns within the Granada district include Malacatoya, El Paso, El Guayabo, Diria, Macatepe, El Guanacaste, Nandaime and Diriomo, known nationally as the last city of witches. Mombacho volcano is the highest point (1,345m) within Granada; the now dormant volcano blew most of its cone into the lake, forming the 365 Islets of Granada, from where the volcano provides an amazing view. It is also possible on a clear day to see Ometepe and Zapatera Islands. This latter island is the second largest island in Lake Nicaragua and it too is an inactive volcano. It is a national treasure, known as the home of pre-Columbian statues and idols which were found on the island during the Spanish conquest, these are now exhibited in the Convento San Francisco Museum.
The Islets of Granada
The islets of Granada (Spanish: Isletas de Granada) are located in Lake Nicaragua, just southeast of the city of Granada in Nicaragua. The islets are a group of over 360 small islands and are scattered about the Asese peninsula. The 365 islets are of volcanic origin, they were formed when the Mombacho volcano blew most of its cone into the lake over 20,000 years ago, thereby creating the archipelago. Most of islets are covered with unusual vegetation, and are rich with bird life.
Many of the islets are occupied. Some are privately owned and hold homes or vacation houses. There are facilities for the residents and for tourists. Hotels and shops are established on some of the islets, and boating tours are available.
Pueblos Blancos - The White Towns of Nicaragua
The small picturesque white stucco villages outside of the town of Masaya, collectively known as the "Pueblos Blancos" (White Towns), are a popular destination for tourists visiting the fascinating country of Nicaragua. Usually incorporated into a tour of points of interest in and around Masaya, which lies north of Granada and south of Managua, it is well worth spending some time exploring the Pueblos Blancos. Each is known for its native cuisine, its handicrafts or for a particular bit of colorful folklore that has been handed down through the generations.
This region is located 27 miles (45 km) south of Managua, at an elevation of 1,375 feet (500 mt) above see level. The weather is cooler than other areas with a richer vegetation and many different flowers and colors along the roads. Coffee is the main production in the area, as well as flowers, pure blood horses, rocking chairs, wicker furniture, leather shoes, etc. Many small towns that tourists can visit, have been there for centuries, even before the arrival of Columbus to America. The area can be visited in a half day. Catarina View Point is generally included in tours in the Masaya Area.
San Marcos: Place of birth of the founder of the Somoza family (Anastacio Somoza García) and actual site for the Ave Maria University Campus.
Masatepe: (from the Chorotega language mazatl-tepec or place for deer). This is the place to buy natural leather shoes.
Niquinohomo: (from the Chorotega, means valley of the warriors), place of birth of Augusto César Sandino, the nationalist General that fought against Somoza, killed in ambush and years later used as a symbol by leftist groups called Sandinistas.
San Juan de Oriente: place for arts and crafts, ceramics.
Diriá and Diriomo: small towns with rich history, witchcraft legends.
Catarina: From the edge of the Catarina view point, an amazing view of the Apoyo Volcanic Lagoon offers the visitor an exceptional photo opportunity. The Mombacho Volcano, Granada, and Nicaragua Lake, can be seen from this high point. Restaurants and bars offer food and beverages.
The hills and elevated flatland (meseta) surrounding Masaya are scattered with huge crater lakes, and are the site of Nicaragua’s most accessible active volcano, the Volcán Masaya. It is in these beautiful surroundings that the villages of Pueblos Blancos are found. The unhurried lifestyle of the residents of Pueblos Blancos is most appealing to holiday makers, who are welcomed with warmth that is characteristic of these friendly villagers.
The majority of the Pueblos Blancos residents are skilled in the manufacture of traditional arts and crafts. Their specialty is ceramics and pottery and it is through the sale of their wares that they make a living to support themselves and their families. Workshops are open for visitors to enter and watch these skilled artisans at work, turning out beautiful items on their pottery wheels, which are then fired in the on-site kiln and set aside to be decorated.
Visitors never fail to be impressed by the variety and superb workmanship of the myriad of plates, cups, bowls, bottles, vases, wind chimes and other containers and decorative items for sale at these workshops, many of which use the sidewalk as their shop window. Other handicrafts include a variety of items made from wood, leather, carved stone and fabric.
The prices of these top quality handicrafts are reasonable, leaving the shopper with the difficult task of choosing which items to take home.
Visitors to the Pueblos Blancos can also visit the nearby lookout point of El Mirador De Catarina which offers a spectacular view of the enormous Lake Apoyo, Granada City and Mombacho Volcano. On a clear day visitors can even see as far as Lake Cocibolca. Nicaragua has many places of interest to offer travelers, and the charming Pueblos Blancos offer insight into the lives of some of the friendly people who call this beautiful region of Nicaragua home.