León Things to Do

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The parque plaza, particularly the hedge like clipped trees lining it, is impressive. Narrow streets from Iglesia Del Calvario provide another view of the exterior of the San Juan. A plate on the church shows that France provided some funding for restoration.

The ruins of a church, now sheltered for restoration, are across the street from the Museum of Traditions and Legends, and was also fenced off and closed at the time we visited. Moon guide reports that this church was built on sacred ground used by the indigenous people, in 1742. Now, it's mostly famous for having suffered terrific damage when Somoza bombed the city in 1979.

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The museum is heartbreaking for its history of political prisoner torture, but it's also very interesting for explaining with mannequins some 14 local legends. Most of them have a pattern of some broken romance or abuse, where a type of woman faces tragic lost of love and sometimes seeks revenge through a curse. Ultimately, some of these are imported from Spain, but most others from Leon, rooted in the mistreatment of the Indians at the time of conquest. Another room has mannequins of famous men in Leon.

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The interior has gory images of Christ. Overall, if you have only time to visit one church after the Cathedral, this would be the best choice of many options. An exterior plate indicates a role of this church in the Sandinista revolution.

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As the name suggests, this church is located on a hill, and can be seen from the cathedral along Calle Central. Walk up the steps to the church with red ocher towers, then look back into town over the checked red and white plaza. This church has several worn pieces of art of interest on it's exterior.

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Barrio Laborio, near the old church of the same name is partly along the Calle la Españolita, reportedly one of the oldest streets in the city. Given the large number of mud brick and wattle homes in this area, this is very likely the best place to see early colonial architecture.

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On the southwest corner of downtown on a rise above the old colonial neighborhood, known as Barrio Laborio, is the fully restored Iglesia El Laborio, which Moon guide reports is one of the oldest in the city. The simple architecture and setting of this church is stunning, but I liked the see through nature of the doorways on the anterior side of the church.

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Originally built in 1639, making it one of the older churches in Leon, this building has obviously been restored several times. Nevertheless, the courtyard of trees makes this a pleasant setting. It also has three nice bronze bells. Inside is a rather unusual ceiling and some dark woodwork that shouldn't be overlooked.