El Realejo

Realejo on the map of Nicaragua

Realejo is a port city and a municipality in the west of the department of Chinandega in the Central American country Nicaragua. About the Strait Estero Doña Paula the lagoon of Realejo with the Pacific is connected.

History

Realejo was built within the first five years of the Conquest of Nicaragua and soon became the most important port in the diocese of Nicaragua. In Realejo there was a customs station, which contributed to the prosperity of the city.

End of the 16th century there were in Realejo wealthy citizens, rich pickings for pirates, which threatened the existence of the port city. William Dampier reported in 1685 on the Volcan de San Cristobal that he smoked during the day and lit up at night and so the Bucaneros served as a lighthouse. They landed in 1697 in the bay of El Realejo and raided the city of Leon.

1845, in Guerra de Malespín, should the siege of Leon are supplied with arms through the port of Realejo, but the shipment of weapons fell into the hands of the besiegers.

Also the filibustero William Walker ( mercenaries ), was invading on Realejo Nicaragua. In one of the numerous pirate attacks, the Convent of San Francisco was destroyed in the 17th century. As a result Realejo was abandoned.

With the construction of the port of Corinto in 1875 the importance of Realejo went back.

Economy

The main economic activity is agriculture - rice, corn, sesame, cassava, bananas, and in particular sugar cane. In addition, crayfish and cattle are bred. Who does not find employment there, acts as fishermen or hunters cancer.

Attractions

There are traces of the past in the city. A few blocks from the small Central Park are the ruins of the Convento San Francisco. The San Benito church is located opposite the Central Park. In the town hall there is a small exhibition of archaeological finds. On a boat trip to Estero Doña Paula the mangroves and its fauna can be observed.

Previously crossed a railway bridge over the ford Paso Caballos in the west of El Realejo. Today, there are several restaurants with views of the Pacific, the tropical savanna and the Volcan de San Cristobal.