Leon´s History

León is a city in Nicaragua, Central America, located at 12.43°North, 86.89°West. In full the legal name of the city, granted in Spanish Colonial times, is Santiago de los Caballeros de León, but this is little used. It is the capital of Nicaragua's León Department. As of 2007 the city had an estimated population of about 250,000 people.

León is situated on the León River, some 50 miles northwest of Managua, and some 11 miles north of the Pacific Ocean coast. Although less populous than Managua, León has long been the intellectual center of the nation, with the University founded here in 1813. León is also an important industrial and commercial center for Nicaragua.

The first city of León in Nicaragua was established in 1523 by Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba about 20 miles east of the present site; this old León was severly damaged by an eruption of the volcano Momotombo, and so the city was moved to its present location, which had been a Native American town named Subtiaba'.

León has fine examples of Spanish Colonial architecture, including the grand Cathedral of San Pedro, built from 1706 to 1740, with two towers added in 1746 and 1779.

Our patrimony
Set of inherited valuable goods of ancestors
Testimony of existence, world vision,,ways of life and ways to be
It reflects the spirit of a time, community, nation and of the humanity
Approach to the knowledge of the national identity

In 1983 was declared cultural historic patrimony of the nations.Historic center protected by the law of protection to the cultural pratrimony of the nation and its reforms Decreet Nº1142 y 1237)

Historic Value: The 52.4% of the constructions have “Local meaning”

Value aesthetic formal: The 51.9% facades with “alterations reversible” The neighbourhood with most value aesthetic formal is the Sagrario.
The result of the predominant constructions systems is
45.4% the adobe
36.3% the mamposteria14.1% the taquezal

The fist city was founded in 1,524 in the borders of the Xolotlan lake.

In 1,586 begun to arise an process of depopulate; being transferred itself in the site that occupies the present city of Leon in 1610.


Its urban layout, responds to the model of the city that with
historical precedents is experienced widely and evolved during the
Spanish colonization.

The Cathedral typical colonial Baroque construction was built between 1747 and 1814 from the east side it is prince’s courtyard and the Presbyterian until the facade and the two towers of neoclassical style that were made in last moment in west side. Due to the wall thickness made of brick and stone quarry with more than 1 meter of thickness has supported earthquake, quake, volcanic eruption, wars and its roof with domes of Baroque style seemed to Feudal Castle. In 1824 were placed on it several canyons on its roof when the city was surrounded and besieged by forces conservatives and in the insurrection of June and July of 1979 against the dictator Anastacio Somoza.


Symmetrical layout with parallel reconciled streets and, that when being, establish compact blocks of viviendas("MANZANAS"). United houses an a the others, with disposition of patios and traspatios.
Structured on a diversity of small communities or districts, that managed to conserve.

The urban structure conserves all its wealth and dynamism. 60% of the construction present/display architectonic values. Great artistic value and presence of exclusive elements of the city, as much in habitacionales and religious buildings. Protecting our Patrimony as one to have citizen, frequently badly is interpreted. The interventions badly directed and badly conceived, are responsible for damages in the constructions. To protect it is to conserve our identity.