León Cathedral

Covering an entire block in León’s city center, the Cathedral of León (Basílica Catedral de la Asunción) is impossible to miss. After admiring the blend of baroque, neoclassical, and Gothic architectural elements that give the church its striking appearance, head inside to climb a narrow staircase to the domed roof. From here, you can see panoramic views of León, the La Libertad bell that announced Central America’s independence in 1821, and the historic cannons that were used during an 1824 siege of the city. In the cellar, a series of tunnels connects the cathedral to other León churches; visit on a guided tour to learn about the frequent pirate attacks that prompted their construction and walk inside three of the historic tunnels. For a more robust and hassle-free experience, visit the cathedral as part of a León city sightseeing tour or a day tour from Managua.