Located 20 km south of Managua is the smallest and most populated department in the country, Masaya, with the departmental capital of the same name and located 29 km from the capital. The Department is made up of Masaya (city), Nindirí, Tisma, Catarina, San Juan de Oriente or San Juan de Los Platos, Niquinohomo, Nandasmo, Masatepe and San Juan de La Concepción or La Concha.
The first settlers of Masaya were Chorotega Indians, tribes from Mexico, influenced by the Mayan culture. The Dirianes, the name given to the Chorotegas who lived in the highlands, were farmers, great artisans, they were associated in clans, tribes, the family lived in ranches, the elders were the chiefs or heads of the family; obligatory marriage constituted the family base, their main indigenous centers were: Nindirí, Ticuantepe, Masaya, Monimbò and Niquinohomo.
The first historical information known about Masaya dates back to April 10, 1525, regarding colonial comments about the existence of a volcano in the province of Masaya, "where a very large mouth of fire comes out, which never stops burning." In 1529, it was visited by the Spanish chronicler Fernández de Oviedo, guided by the chief Nacatime de Nindirí.
The Laguna de Apoyo
A gigantic volcanic crater with a circumference of 6 kilometres and a depth of 200 metres, provides visitors with an impressive beauty, and offers opportunities for fishing, sailing and diving.
Masaya Lagoon
Of volcanic origin, known as the Nindirí Lagoon, it is 9 kilometers long and approximately 2 to 4 kilometers wide.
Tisma Lagoon
Wildlife refuge and nesting place for migratory birds with a wide variety of fish.
El Coyotepe Fortress
"Cerro de Coyotes", built during the government of General Zelaya, an old fortress in the style of castles from the European feudal era, was built to watch over the city of Masaya.
Catarina viewpoint
In honor of Saint Catherine the Patron Saint, as it was initially known, it had only 4 streets, by legislative law sanctioned by President José María Moncada and the Ministry of the Interior of Masaya, Mr. Benjamín Abaunza, the Town of Catarina was given the title of Villa.
Temple of San Jerónimo
It houses the miraculous image of Masaya's patron saint. It is simple but with elegant architecture, with a tower as a front and an apse crowned with a dome. The temple was partially damaged by the earthquake that shook the city in mid-2000, but has now been completely repaired.
The artisans work with leather, wood, clay and fabric. San Juan de Oriente is the cradle of pre-Columbian and utilitarian crafts, they work mainly with clay, producing all kinds of vessels of all sizes with different themes and colors.
Among the rustic products, the following stand out: clay pots, flower pots, griddles, plates and bamboo baskets. San Juan de Oriente Ceramics, of great cultural value, are part of our cultural heritage.
Saint John of the East or Saint John of the Plates
It is the cradle of pre-Columbian pottery that has worked with clay and kaolin since ancient times. Nandasmo: Its inhabitants emigrated seeking safety from the eruptions of the Santiago volcano. In the Chorotega language it means “Next to the streams”, in Nahuatl “Sandy place”. Declared a municipality since 1976. They celebrate “The Sweet Name of Jesus of the Good Death, and the Divine Shepherd”.
Masatepe
Formed by the words Mazalt: deer or Tepelt: hill or place; it means place where there are deer. In this municipality, wicker, wood, mats and leather footwear are made. The Old Railway Station functions as an Expo sale. Gastronomically, the Mondongo Soup is offered.
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- Corn, corncobs, atole
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- Gastronomy
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- güirilas
Corn (White and Pujagua), Beans (White, Black and Red), Rice, Yucca, Plantain, Bananas, Avocados, Guapotes, Guabinas, Pizque Tamale, Stuffed Tamale, Nacatamal, Iguana Pinol, Casserole Dough, Old Indian, Rice with Gaspar, Pinol, Tiste, Pinolillo, Coffee, Warm, Chocolate, Yucca Chicha, Coyol Chicha, Pineapple Chicha, Etc.