MASAYA CITY AND MARKET

This small charming city is traditionally known as “the city of flowers” and ‘the cradle of national folklore’. A town full of history and magic!

Masaya celebrates San Jeronimo between the month of September and December. During this celebration on last Sunday of October, the city has the unique procession of “Los Aguizotes”, which is a colorful manifestation of thousands of locals wearing scary customs and masks of devils, skulls, animals and creatures. In order to make the show more spectacular this activity happens at night.

Within the historical center there are also other monuments of valuable importance including the old train station built in 1895 and rebuilt in 1935. The “Malecon” or lake front is a relaxing place with great views of Masaya National Park and also of Masaya lagoon, a very special place where the native Chorotegas used to climb down the lake to gather water.

The city of Masaya enjoys a very active commerce with lots of small family businesses and many shops selling all types of goods including shoes and clothes.

Notable landmarks:

  • This fascinating souvenir market is located inside of the former local market, a neo-gothic fort building that was constructed at the end of the XIX century. It was restored and opened as a cultural souvenir market in 1998. Nowadays the shops offer all different kinds of high quality handcraft products at reasonable prices, including colorful hammocks, cigars, authentic ceramic work, fine woodwork, t-shirts, rocking chairs, jewelry, Nicaraguan books and music, paintings, rum and all sort of local souvenirs. The market also offers the opportunity to try some local meals in its restaurants as well as to enjoy several natural fruit shakes.

  • A few blocks away from the souvenir market visitors can walk into the local or “popular market” full of fruit and vegetables produced in the area, including fresh oranges, mangoes, pineapples, papayas, bananas, passion fruits, avocadoes, tomatoes, sweet pepper, onions, beats, radish, lettuce and other products.

  • The “Roberto Clemente” baseball stadium is located by the lake front. Roberto Clemente was the famous Puerto Rican Major League Baseball Player who died in an airplane accident on his attempt to bring clothes, food, medicine and other supplies to Nicaraguans who suffered from Managua’s 6.2 magnitude earthquake in 1972.

  • The baroque church “Our Lady of Asuncion”, originally constructed in 1750, but quite affected by the earthquake in 2000.

  • A few blocks away from the center, the “San Jeronimo” church can also be appreciated with its neo-classical style.

Activities:

  • Shopping

  • Handicrafts

  • Arts and Paintings

  • Tradition & Culture

  • History

  • Music & Dance

  • Food

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