About Granada Colonial City

The city of Granada was founded by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba in 1524 between Xalteva(Jalteva) and the Cocibolca or Gran Lago de Nicaragua, and became one of the oldest  colonial settlements in Central America.

During the colonial period, Granada became one of the most important commercial harbors in Central America. In this same period  the Plaza Mayor and Plaza de los Poderes began to be built in the center of the city , at the beginning under strict standards due to the  urban Spanish architectural tradition.

The increase in commerce through the Gran Lago and San Juan River and the rivalries between Spain and England, and  The Netherlands and France brought about at least 3 pirate attacks that destroyed Granada. So, in June 1665 Jean David, a Jamaican pirate attacked and plundered Granada , which made almost no resistance.

On November 22 1856, under the orders of William Walker, the filibuster Henningsen set fire to Granada causing huge damages to the buildings. Walker's army, before withdrawing from Granada, wrote these words "Here was Granada" (Aquí fue Granada). After the National War, Granada began to be rebuilt and became the political capital until 1893, when it lost its political hegemony caused by the Liberal Revolution of  the General Jose Santos Zelaya.

In the XX century the city has had other kind of development. It continued with its industrial and  commercial activities, lost its political hegemony, but it did not lose the characteristic  of an old colonial and neo-classic city. At the beginning of the XX century, Granada was considered the richest city in Nicaragua. In the following years, It has been working on saving and keeping its historic center which not only shows the achievements of many managers, artists, businessmen and famous people, but the desire of  preservation , for the future, of  the city of Granada a treasure and cultural patrimony.

Tourist Attractions

The Hotel Granada is close to Masaya City, where the largest market of crafts in the country can be found. In that area you can also visit the picturesque towns, of San Juan de Oriente and Catarina, where you can enjoy the amazing view of the Apoyo´s lagoon, the isle of Granada and volcanoes such as Mombacho and Masaya .