GRANADA COLONIAL CITY OF NICARAGUA.

While i was living in Costa Rica, i easily went at least 20 time to this city. First because i liked it, then because i had to, every time i returned to Honduras i usually spent there the night. But don´t get me wrong, i really like this city, i have such good memories about this place. 


A little history:

The oldest city in Central America.
Granada was founded in Xalteva (Jalteva) next to Lake Cocibolca, or Grand Lake of Nicaragua, by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba in 1524, constituting one of the oldest colonial settlements of Central America. Francisco named Granada after his home in Spain.

The habitants lived their everyday life in Xalteva as butchers, warriors and artists who had knowledge in various disciplines like astronomy, botany and medicine, and group of traders were also part of this Indian kingdom.

The inhabitants of the region lived from tobacco and cacao plantation and cattle and donkey breeding. Granada's business effected Cartagena, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama and Peru.

The increase in business at the route Gran Lago and Del Rio San Juan, the colonial competition of Spain and England, the Netherlands and France, made Granada a victim of at least three pirate attacks.

In the beginning of the 19th century, the colonial city kept a regular growing business with the Antilles. This time is also characterized with short periods of war, mainly against the Spanish Imperial (1812), and about a decade later against the Mexican government.

On the 22 nd of November Granada was set on fire by the pirate Henningsen and many of the cities buildings became badly damaged.

William Walker, an adventurer, that wanted to take over Central America, attacked Granada and elected him self to president in 1855. Walker instituted slavery and declared English as the official language. Nevertheless the target to conquer all Central American countries did not work out, Walker had to flee and Granada was once again set on fire.

After another National war in 1854, reconstruction of Granada was being started. At the same time the city became the political capital which lasted until Granada lost its political balance, caused by a liberal revolution, ordered by the General José Santos Zelaya. 1893 Zelaya deposed the Conservative president and became dictator of the country.

In the 21st century, there were other developments in Granada. With the following commercial and industrial activities, Granada lost its political supremacy, but not its colonial and neoclassic city character. In the beginning of the 20th century, Granada was considerate to be the most beautiful city in Nicaragua. The following years were dedicated to save and conserve its historical center ,because there was a demand to preserve the city's cultural treasure for the future of Granada.

Main Attractions for me:

Cocibolca Lake:

Covering over 8,000 square kilometers, Lake Nicaragua is the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world, and by far the largest in Central America. Its natural history is fascinating; its natural beauty breathtaking. The lake is believed to have once been part of the Pacific, and was then subsequently cut off from the ocean by massive volcanic eruptions. Unusual aquatic species, including guapote, saw fish, and freshwater sharks do inhabit Lake Nicaragua, offering some evidence to substantiate this theory. As to the presence of sharks in the lake (which, unfortunately, have been seriously depleted over the years due to over-fishing), others suggest that these species swam up the Río San Juan from the Caribbean, acclimated to their new environment, and then stayed.

 Islands:

Las Isletas is a group of more than 300 islands —many inhabited by humans and all inhabited by our fine-feathered friends— just off the shores of Granada. These islands were formed ten thousand years ago by the explosion of Volcán Mombacho. A wonderful way to spend the day is to tour one or more of the islands, catching glimpses of traditional fishing village life, and birds aplenty, along the way.

Colonial Architecture:

This is the main point for me, because i love this kind of houses and churches.

So, Granada is a really nice city and a great place to visit, besides is very cheap and to food is good and varied. People is friendly and i know this by heart. 

They have a lot of different options of accommodation and things to do and see. 

Take your time to get to know this treasure of Central America !!

Source:

http://www.granadanicaragua.net

http://www.granada.com.ni