The Granada Historical
Tour
By D. Arroliga
Our tour begins with a
hearty breakfast at Kathy’s Waffles, across from the oldest church in
Nicaragua, the San Francisco Church, founded in 1524 by Spanish conquistador
Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba.
· After breakfast, we will then cross over and
visit one of the most iconic and fascinating places in Granada, the Convent of
San Francisco. This place was the main Filibuster soldier headquarters during the
infamous William Walker presence in Nicaragua. The “Indian’s Advocate”, Fray
Bartolome de las Casas lived and preached here, while defending the natives
from Spanish oppression. We will visit the pre-Columbian Museum inside the
Convent and go back in time 500 hundred years of history by touching the
ancient stone monoliths found in Zapatera Island and Ometepe.
· We then will go to the west end of the city to
visit La Polvora Fortress built by the Spanish in the 1700’s to fend off pirate
attacks. People say this place is haunted by the many prisoners that died here
during the Colony and the revolution of 1979. On the way to La Polvora, we will
stop briefly at Casa del Recodo, the oldest house in Granada.
· Walking down Calle Real Xalteva (Main Street),
we will stand at the steps of the old church of Xalteva, used as a garrison in
1854 during the Guerra Nacional. In June 1854, General Jerez, leader of the Liberals,
who sieged Granada for 9 months, was shot here by a sniper 300 meters away.
While directing his troops for another assault, Jerez was shot in the knee by
an American mercenary sniper fighting for the Conservatives perched in the bell
tower of La Merced Church.
· We will go to the Park of Xalteva and visit the
resting place of African-American doctor David Peck Jones, who fell in battle
in 1855 fighting alongside the democrats from Leon. Dr. Jones was the first
Afro-American doctor graduated in the US.
· We will go up the bell tower of the church of La
Merced, partially destroyed by the Liberals after Gen. Jerez was wounded.
Famous Nicaraguan hero and teacher Emmanuel Mongalo is buried in this church.
· Our next stop is Ganada’s Main Plaza where we
will see many historical buildings, including William Walker’s house and the mysterious
Cruz del Siglo, a time capsule cache replete with objects and artifact from
1900 Granada.
· We will finish our historical tour at the
Guadalupe Church on La Calzada Street. In November 1856, surrounded by 5000
Central American troops, Colonel Frederick Henningsen tried to flee Granada
after setting it on fire. He took refuge in this
church with about 400 Americans including women and children. He was pinned
down there for 3 weeks. He escaped with only 150 people, the rest, victims of
the long siege and rampaging cholera, remain buried at Guadalupe to this day.
