The Cathedrals of Granada, Nicaragua

The San Francisco Convent Cathedral complex in Granada, Nicaragua is another example of Nicaraguan ingenuity.

The buildings cover a square block and consist of the old convent that is now a museum, and the old and new cathedral.

I went to a wedding in the cathedral last week. Fairy tale stuff with huge ceilings and ornate works of art. That's besides the plexiglass covered skeletons of some bygone church people that are on either side of the altar. I'll leave the tongue in cheek jokes up to the reader. The place is so huge, bats have made it a permanent cave, and no one seems to mind in the least when they swoop through various religious ceremonies looking for a bug snack. Certainly makes sitting through some of the longer ceremonies an enjoyable study in animal behavior.

San Francisco Cathedral is unique in that it has a main entrance facade and a smaller rebuilt cathedral behind that. And here is where San Francisco becomes one of my favorite Cathedrals in Granada. The rumor of the tunnel is not-so-rumor here. I have spoken to people that live across the street that have seen this tunnel, and have themselves unearthed artifacts on their properties. Short of going from door to door with a pix ax over my shoulder and asking to see their basements, I still have some more hunting to do before I can see this tunnel for myself. Or the artifacts from it. The presence of skeletons in underground vaults in San Francisco is not lost on me here.

La Merced Cathedral
Xalteva Cathedral
The Cathedral
Guadelupe Cathedral

The Cathedrals of Granada, Nicaragua

La Merced Catherdral in Granada, Nicaragua boasts a pretty kewl bell tower with a sweeping view of the old colonial buildings of Granada and Lake Nicaragua in the background. On a clear day you can see Ometepe Island. So far I haven't seen a day that wasn't clear.

The climb to the almost-top of the bell tower is fun. A spiral staircase with steps fit for tiny childlike feet, winds its way upward, enclosed in thick white adobe walls. You can almost imagine the people of days gone by climbing their way up there for the views or the breeze. I don't think you can sit up there contemplating life when the bells are rung. Make the fillings in your head rattle around for a bit I bet.

As usual, I can't find a lot written on La Merced Cathedral. Like many of her sister cathedrals here in Granada, she was almost destroyed in civil wars, been rebuilt, and is still a work in progress. She is impressive for her size and views of the city and surrounding countryside. And who can pass up a bell tower with real bells?

San Francisco Convent/Cathedral

Xalteva Cathedral

The Cathedral

Guadelupe Cathedral

The Cathedrals of Granada, Nicaragua

Xalteva Cathedral in Granada, Nicaragua, is another pretty impressive sized cathedral.

Xalteva actually gets its name from the indigenous settlement that was there long before the Spanish moved in. I can find very little information on these ancient peoples and their culture. But it is supposed to be the oldest part of the city of Granada, and I can believe that.

The area that surrounds Xalteva seems to evoke an air of old worldy charm. She has been constructed and reconstructed over the last couple hundred years. Looks pretty spiffy now. The Xalteva Park across the street seems shrouded in sadly worn history.

There is also rumor of an underground tunnel here. Xalteva is a few minutes above ground walk to The Cathedral towards Lake Nicaragua. In a straight line. I know it's intriguing!

San Francisco Convent/Cathedral
la Merced Cathedral
The Cathedral
Guadelupe Cathedral

The Cathedrals of Granada, Nicaragua

The Cathedral is one of the most spectacular buildings in Granada. It dominates Central Park and has a view of Lake Nicaragua to boot.

The original building was destroyed by fire in 1856. I can only imagine what inferno would be responsible to wiping out a whole building of this size. Must have been pretty impressive. Get out the weinies and marshmellows.

She was rebuilt in 1880, renovated again in 1905, and when I walked by a couple days ago she was getting a new coat of paint outside. I like new clothes, too. Makes you feel dressed up and special. Just in time for Christmas.

I walked around inside of The Cathedral and peeked behind the altar. Found something that makes the rumour of the tunnel connecting the cathedrals of Granada even more solid. There is a gated and locked staircase leading underground to who knows where. No one is talking about what is down there, either. I was told not even to ask the priests for access to this area.

The mystery thickens!

San Francisco Convent/Cathedral
Xalteva Cathedral
la Merced Cathedral
Guadelupe Cathedral

Guadalupe Cathedral, Granada, Nicaragua

There are 6 magnificent cathedrals in Granada, Nicaragua. Huge, massive structures each with its own haunting elegance.

This is Guadalupe Cathedral, built in 1626. Honest. I don't kid about this history stuff. Frankly, I can't stretch my mind far enough back to imagine yesterday, much less over 300 years ago. So, being a wee bit older than most of us, I guess we can excuse Guadalupe for being a bit stained and worn. You should see me before morning coffee!

I can't find a lot written about Guadalupe. She was used by William Walker (the man who tried to be King of Nicaragua .. everyone has a dream!) in 1856 as his last stand in Granada. Nice digs for a last ditch effort at taking over a country. Didn't work out for Bill, though. He could have been a whole trilogy of psychology books unto himself.

What really intrigues me about these cathedrals is the more-than-just-rumor of an underground tunnel that connects all 6 of them. When you see the cathedrals from higher up, this makes sense as they are aligned in almost a straight line. Guadalupe is the one closest to the lake. During the time of pirates and the pillaging of Granada, it would be fortuitous to have a way for people and goods to escape.

I have spoken to a number of natives of Granada who have seen this tunnel in days gone by. Though any modern day trace seems to either have vanished or is blocked up. I have more research to do on this. I just can't let a good mystery go unsolved.

San Francisco Convent/Cathedral
la Merced Cathedral
The Cathedral
Xalteva Cathedral