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Cathedral of León
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Cathedral of León
| Type | Religious Building |
| Built | 1747 |
| City | León |
| Description | Construction of the cathedral of León started in 1747, and it took more than 100 years to complete this colossal building. In 1860 it was finished, and León has ever since been equipped with the largest cathedral of Central America. Several bishops have overseen and guided the construction. The blueprints were designed by the Guatamalan master architect Diego de Porres. To fund construction and maintenance, people were offered the possibility to be buried below the cathedral. Important, famous people from the region have also been buried somewhere in the cathedral. Besides several bishops there are also poets including Nicaragua's most famous poet Rubén Darío buried in the cathedral. The remains of Miguel Larreynaga are also located below the floors of this building. The cathedral has 7 cellars which provide stability in case of an earthquake. They have also been used to treasures. One of the cellars provided an entrance to the tunnel system that connects several churches in León, underground. Nowadays, this entrance has been closed. Three of the cellars can still be visited. The interior is richly decorated, and even the rooftop has an interesting structure. There are 34 domes which help provide the cathedral with ventilation and light. The cathedral is one of the best naturally illuminated cathedrals in America. It is also possible to visit both the cellars and the rooftop, form where you can also enjoy a great view of León and its surroundings. |