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.