Leon Viejo – Old Leon

Leon Viejo is the only 16th-century colonial city in America that has never undergone changes in city planning in its entire history. This fact was the main argument when Leon Viejo was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.

Leon Viejo was founded on June 15, 1524 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba. The area underwent frequent volcanic activity, culminating in the earthquakes of 1594 and 1610.

The city was not destroyed by the earthquake of 1610, however, due to damage to infrastructure and seismic activity, the settlers held a referendum and decided to move the city to its current location, about 20 miles to the west. However, the old city was gradually buried due to the constant eruptions of ash and volcanic stone from Momotombo, as well as due to lake deposits.

The ruins of Leon Viejo were discovered in 1967, and excavations began the following year.

In tribute to the 18 leaders who were captured by the Spaniards in 1528 and fed to hungry dogs, the Nicaraguan Institute of Culture in 2001 placed on the ruins of Leon Viejo “Monument to the Resistance of the Indigenous Population”. The monument depicts a leader who is bitten by a hungry dog.