Granada is a beautiful colonial city founded in 1524 by Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, born in Granada, Spain (hence the name) and some people assures that it is the oldest city on mainland, which continues in the same place where it was founded.
Granada is also known by the nickname of "the great sultana", because precisely at that time, Spain was liberated from the Muslim invasion, which had remained in the Iberian Peninsula for 700 years.
Description and main attractions
One of the best ways to see Granada is on foot or by horse-drawn carriage, looking into every corner, watching their peculiar avenues, its remodeled traditional colonial buildings, its colonial houses where you can admire the large patios with tropical plants and the rooms with rocking chairs ... You will feel like you're in a town of Andalusia, where, likewise, they put their chairs on sidewalks to feel the fresh air while swinging on them.
Near the park are the main churches in Granada and the Municipal Market, where every morning you can find tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, meat, cheese, eggs, and fish from Lake Cociboica at modest prices.
Before the Spanish arrived, the diarianes inhabited the place, a tribe of the choretega, warriors and artists who had expertise in various disciplines such as astronomy, botany and medicine.
During the colonial period, the department had a flourishing commercial activity, which led to repeated attempts of assault and plunder by the English and French pirates who invaded the territory from the Atlantic coast, up the San Juan River and across the lake of Nicaragua.
Granada was invaded three times, but the most prominent was the one suffered in 1856 by the American mercenary William Walker, who was named President of Granada in 1855 by the municipal authorities of Granada. He conquered the land, but failed to get its soul, so seeing himself defeated decided to burn the city. However, he could neither destroy it, nor kill its aroma of colonial city... its elegance and hospitality prevail intact to these days.
The city offers lovely colonial-style hotels of all categories, even for the most demanding customers.
If you go to the city of Granada, do not forget to visit the islets of Granada, the Volcano Mombacho, the Brujos villages...
Location
The Department of Granada is located in the Pacific region of Nicaragua, next to the westernmost part of Lake Nicaragua.
It is only 40 km south of Managua, 28 km from the international airport of Nicaragua, 90 km from the border with Costa Rica and 50 km of the most beautiful beaches of the Pacific Ocean.
Getting There:
From Managua, take Masaya road and there you can see indications to Granada.