08/09/2013
About Granada: Nicknamed 'the Great Sultan, ' in honor of its Moorish namesake across the Atlantic, Granada was founded in 1524 by Francisco Fernández de Córdoba along the shores of lago Cocibolca ( Nicaragua Lake). It is one of the oldest cities in the New World and during colonial times it was the most important city of Nicaragua. Today Granada is one of the most visited places in the country because of the beauty of it s colonial buildings and its location at the shores of Lake Nicaragua.Granada is also located next to the active Massayavolcano and the nowadays extint Mombachovolcano. Just 6km to the north you will find Apoyo lagoon. It is the biggest lagoon in Nicaragua. Its name, Lake "Alt-poyec", means "Healthy Water" and derives from the kind of its water. Although Granada is situated closer to the Pacific ocean, it is considered an Atlantic port. Because the waters of the lake drain into the Caribbean see via the navegable San Juan river. The connection between the two oceans had an enormous impact on the development of Granada but the lake has an incredible natural beauty as well. Lago Nicaragua or Cocibolca is a vastfreshwater lake in Nicaragua of tectonic origin. With an area of 8,264 km2 (3,191 sq mi). Despite being a freshwater lake,it has sawfish, tarpon, swordfish, and sharks.Close to Granada you will find las isletas; 356 tiny islands that can be visited by boat or canoe and it is a good place for swimming as well. They where formed during the las explosion of Mombacho volcano and are actually pieces of this firespitting mountain
In the colonial era, Granada was highly prized for its easy access to both coasts (the Caribbean via the Río San Juan ; the Pacific via stagecoach. For a long time it was Nicaragua s richest and most important city which is still to be witnessed in the remaing colonial buildings.
Granada has been subject to many battles, invasions of pirates, and subjugations. The most significant was the American William Walker, who conquered Nicaragua and declared himself president in the mid-1800s. When Walker eventually fled the country, he torched the city of Granada and left the famous words, “Granada Was Here.”
Many of Granada’s cathedrals and historic buildings are still fire-scorched. Like the church of Guadalupe that was originally built as a fortress in 1626. Remaining buildings have been rebuilt, like the bright yellow cathedral on the main square. The oldest church in Central America and the most striking building in Granada (that is to say, Nicaragua) boasts the big blue birthday cake facade of Iglesia San Francisco which, incidentally, houses the region's best museum. The fortress of la Polvora was constructed in 1748, this lavishly turreted Spanish fortress still has the best view in town, over ancient, water-stained church domes all the way to Lago de Nicaragua.
The best way to explore Granada is on foot, wandering along its narrow streets. Explore the most remote corners of this fascinating city and have a quick look inside the 'casonas' (the large colonial houses). You'll discover their lovely inner patios, filled with tropical plants, and the shadow of their rooms, furnished with the characteristic rocking chairs.
One of the most important Granada's avenues, know as 'La Calzada', starts on the left side of the Cathedral and runs all the way to the lake. La Calzada has a cosmopolitan air and is flanked by large colonial houses and historical buildings, such as the church of “La Virgen de Guadalupe”. Here you will find the best restaurants and streetlife with lots of artists. The Cafe de las Sonrisas is run entirely by deaf mute people, it’s actually the first coffee shop in the Americas, and the 4th in the world to be run entirely by deaf mutes. You might think it would be difficult to communicate with a deaf mute waiter, but it’s actually quite easy.
And the coffee? It’s good. To find more colors you can go to the buzzling local market where you will find all sorts of local fruits, some of them you might not even have heard of.
In Granada we will have the opportunity to attend classes at yoga studio Pure located on a colonial patio with high quality instructors a peaceful ambiance and a vegan restaurant.
Granada will be the last destination of our trip. We will enjoy our included say goodbye diner there and offer a transfer out next day. For those of you that prefer to stay a little longer or keep exploring, Granada is a good starting point and a destination in itself.
