León is the second largest city in Nicaragua and the country’s former capital. León is Nicaragua’s most liberal city, and home to the country’s violent revolution. It felt like one of those places you could stay a while, and had an old-world ambiance you could feel. In a way, it reminded me of Havana, Cuba.
There are innumerable impressive colonial buildings around the city, in various states of crumbling. Often, their vibrantly-colored paint is chipped.
The large Catedral de León has massive white domes on the roof, and it’s possible to walk around up there. Kind of like you’re in the clouds.
While walking to the bus station I stumbled upon an intriguing (and slightly scary) circus set up within a park. I talked to one of the carnies outside his trailer in poor spanish. Magico.
The offbeat El Museo de Tradiciones y Leyendas is located within an old prison, and showcases stories of the country’s myths as well as extraordinarily creepy life-size paper mâché depictions. León is also home to a major university, which means it has a “college town” vibe…and there are certainly a lot of college-aged people out and about. Who think I am also in college.
Being the second-largest city, León is home to a variety of “normal” places, of course. Markets. Shops. Street vendors selling all the corn (so much corn).
The city is, perhaps unsurprisingly, covered in street art, graffiti, and murals depicting scenes from the revolution and political statements. Also, those old-world buildings.
The Museo de la Revolucion is a must-see. Below, a few photos from an exhibit in that museum.
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