The Swoon-Worthy White Washed Domes of Leon, Nicaragua
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After a 10 hour bus ride between El Tunco, El Salvador and Leon, Nicaragua, I was thrilled to get out of a car and walk around the city.
After asking many new acquaintances and friends who live, work or have visited the city for recommendations in Leon, the resounding answer was volcano board Cerro Negro and walk on top of the White Cathedral of Leon.
The Cathedral is open in the morning from 8 am to noon, and again in the afternoon from 2 pm - 4 pm. We headed up to the Cathedral around 3pm and was stunned by it's architecture.
This Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fact it's one of only two UNESCO sites in Nicaragua, the other is Ruins of León Viejo just next to near the town of Puerto Momotombo.
The Cathedral of Leon is the largest Cathedral in Central America, and one of the most well known in the Americas for it's distinct architecture and cultural importance. It was constructed between 1747 and 1814, consecrated by Pope Pius IX.
The architectural design was made by Guatemalan architect Diego José de Porres y Esquivel. It blends the Baroque and Neoclassicism styles with some influences from Gothic, Renaissance and Mudejar styles. Thus the building can be categorized as belonging to the Eclecticism style. Due to the robust walls, the Cathedral has survived tremors, volcanic eruptions from Cerro Negro and wars. Additionally, there are seven tunnels under the church leading to other parts of the city.
I fell in love with Nicaragua pretty quickly during my month long trip here. There is so much to do in Nicaragua from hiking volcanoes to surfing or lounging pristine beaches to discover islands like Ometepe and Little Corn.
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