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| Having failed at our attempt to visit Acahualinca our next stop was the Palacio Nacional. I've been in the area several times but I've never actually visited any of the sites here. The Malecon area is home to the Palacia Nacional, la Casa de Los Pueblos (the people's house), the Rueben Dario Theatre, and Managua's old cathedral. There are also a number of bars, restaurants, and clubs on the waterfront here but my wife says that this area is extremely dangerous at night and should be avoided by gringos. |
Daniels House |
The Old Cathedral |
National Palace |
Sandino Sign |
Giving Carlos Fonseca The Finger |
The Old Cathedral |
| It's a shame that instead of fixing up the old cathedral Daniel Ortega chooses to spend the "peoples" money on billboards glorifying himself. The cathedral was destroyed in the 1972 earthquake that killed over 10,000 Nicaraguans. The outside was left standing but the entire interior of the structure collapsed. The quake, one of the most powerful ever recorded, demolished most of Managua in a few minutes. Just to give you an idea of how violent the ground shook, one person that lived through it told me that "cars were bouncing down the street like basketballs." |
Juniett |
No Water In The Bathroom |
Inside The National Palace |
A Proud Nicaraguan |
Our Spanish Friend |
Our Spanish Friend |
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The Palacio Nacional was built by Somoza and used to house only government offices. Now, it's home to the National Archives, the National Library, and the National Musuem. I don't think it costs anything to visit (No one asked us for any money) and while there's not a ton of stuff to see it is a nice way to spend an hour or two. There are a lot of great murals and the museum has some interesting things as well.
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My Wife Likes Art |
The Gardens |
Pre-Columbian Artifacts |
Pre-Columbian Artifacts |
The Story Of Corn |
Murals |
The Piano Needs Work |
Another Mural |
Honey, Shes Naked |
Another Mural |
Dont Look |
The Uncensored Version |
Pretty Murals |
Dedicated To The People |
Where El Presidente Addresses The Nation |
The Presidents Podium |
National Archives |
Inside Courtyard |
| One of the biggest events in Nicaraguan history occurred in the National Palace on August, 22, 1978. Nicaragua's brutal dictator, Anastasio Somoza Debayle, was having a party and it was overrun by Sandinista commandos who took all the guests hostage for 45 hours. Somoza, who, luckily for him, was not at the event yet was forced to negotiate with the Sandinistas for the release of the guests which included many members of his family and high ranking government officials. Somoza ended up paying the Sandinistas several million dollars, freeing a bunch of Sandinistas that were being held in prison (including Daniel Ortega), and flying them all on a chartered jet to Cuba. It was the first major victory for the Sandinistas and it was the beginning of the end of the Somoza dynasty. With all of the major Sandinista "players" now free in Cuba they were able to complete their eventual overthrow of the Somozas. A plaque honoring the event now hangs outside the chamber where the hostages were held. |
A Gift From Mexico |
Viva La Revelocion |
Celebrating The Assault |
National Library |
The Fall Of Somoza |
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