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Managua -
Nicaragua
The City on the
Xolotlan
The capital city of Nicaragua, Managua is situated on the south
shore of the Lake Xolotlan (or Lake Managua). The capital houses
several major business centers, several main banks in Nicaragua; it
is also the chief industrial city of the country, and it provides a
number of tourist attractions, though not as many as other
Nicaraguan locations. Lake Xolotlan itself is not of great interest
for the tourist, although there are places in Managua from where
splendid panoramas of the lake are made possible; nonetheless, the
lake is rather polluted and the tourists’ attention is redirected to
the other several attractions in Managua.
An impressive tourist attraction is the building of the National
Palace, a genuinely giant construction, situated near Lake Xolotlan,
in the Square of the Republic (Plaza de la Republica). One of the
institutions sheltered by the National Palace is the National
Museum, exhibiting various collections of ceramics, pre-Columbian
sculptures and figurines and many other objects of interest for the
national history of Nicaragua.
The Acahualinca setting, supposedly 6000 years old, is another
remarkable tourist attraction. The site reveals the renowned Huellas
de Acahualinca, footprints on the shore of the Lake Xolotlan,
belonging to a group of no more than 8-10 people, walking on the
bank of the lake 6000 years ago. Their perfect preservation is
tributary to the volcanic phenomena in the region. The footprints
are visible in a blend of volcanic ash and mud. On the same site a
museum is located, exhibiting a number of pre-Columbian urns and
tools, some prehistoric animal footprints (most likely belonging to
a mammoth) and other such curiosities collected from Managua and
locations near Managua.
The Rubén Darío Theater is also worth paying a visit. It is
Nicaragua’s national theater, where noteworthy national and
international artists have had the opportunity to perform their
shows. The building is impressive for a Nicaraguan, and can be for
the tourist as well. The main hall in the theater – the main space
dedicated to representations – houses a huge stage and more than a
thousand seats.
The Old Cathedral in Managua is located in the historical center of
the capital. The 1972 earthquake caused serious damage to this
cathedral and therefore visits within the construction are not
allowed. However, one can stroll in the surroundings of the
cathedral and admire its still impressive architecture, although it
preserves a touching air of ruin.
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