photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> Nicaragua >> Managua, Nicaragua (May 2007) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Managua, Nicaragua (May 2007)

Once a beautiful colonial city, the center of Managua was destroyed by an earthquake in 1972. Virtually every high building collapsed, and more than 10,000 people died. Since the city center was built on a fault line, much of the center area has been left vacant, it is still covered with ruins or it has been made into parks. New development moved to the outskirts of the city, with no center. Nicaragua has also suffered through the dictatorship of Somoza family, the Nicaraguan revolution and the war between the Sandinistas and the Contras in the 1980’s. Managua is located on Lake Managua, which has been devastated from neglect and pollution. Unfortunately, some of Managua’s poorest neighborhoods are located on the lakeshore. My impression of Managua is that it has not yet recovered from the bad luck of its recent past.
Managua, Nicaragua cover page.
Managua, Nicaragua cover page.		 Map of Nicaragua with the star indicating Managua.
Map of Nicaragua with the star indicating Managua.		 War memorial on a hill (below Tiscapa Park) in Managua.
War memorial on a hill (below Tiscapa Park) in Managua.		 Close-up of a canon at the war memorial.
Close-up of a canon at the war memorial.
Sign for the Historic National Park of Tiscapa (named after the Tiscapa Lagoon).
Sign for the Historic National Park of Tiscapa (named after the Tiscapa Lagoon).		 Silhouette of the Sandino Monument in Tiscapa Park in Managua.
Silhouette of the Sandino Monument in Tiscapa Park in Managua.		 Panoramic photo of Lake Managua from the hill at Tiscapa Park.
Panoramic photo of Lake Managua from the hill at Tiscapa Park.		 The volcanic Tiscapa Lagoon, which was formed about 10,000 years ago.
The volcanic Tiscapa Lagoon, which was formed about 10,000 years ago.
Tank given by Benito Mussolini to Anastasio Somoza in Tiscapa Park.
Tank given by Benito Mussolini to Anastasio Somoza in Tiscapa Park.		 Riding in a horse and buggy in front of the Santo Domingo Cathedral (old cathedral) in Managua.
Riding in a horse and buggy in front of the Santo Domingo Cathedral (old cathedral) in Managua.		 The old cathedral was partially destroyed by the 1972 Managua earthquake.
The old cathedral was partially destroyed by the 1972 Managua earthquake.		 Surrounding the Republic Plaza among the ruins of the 1972 earthquake, are many important sites.
Surrounding the Republic Plaza among the ruins of the 1972 earthquake, are many important sites.
Ruins of the Cathedral of Managua at Plaza de la Republica
Ruins of the Cathedral of Managua at Plaza de la Republica		 Republic Plaza fountain in front of the old cathedral.
Republic Plaza fountain in front of the old cathedral.		 La Casa Presidencial (President's House) in Managua.
La Casa Presidencial (President's House) in Managua.		 Palacio Nacional Managua (National Palace) which now serves as the National Museum of Nicaragua.
Palacio Nacional Managua (National Palace) which now serves as the National Museum of Nicaragua.
Republic Plaza fountain in front of the National Palace.
Republic Plaza fountain in front of the National Palace.		 Close-up of the classical façade of the National Palace.
Close-up of the classical façade of the National Palace.		 Memorial to Carlos Fonseca founder of the Frente Sandinista de Liberacion Nacional (FSLN, better known as the Sandinistas).
Memorial to Carlos Fonseca founder of the Frente Sandinista de Liberacion Nacional (FSLN, better known as the "Sandinistas").		 Ditch digger next to the memorial to Carlos Fonseca.
Ditch digger next to the memorial to Carlos Fonseca.
War monument in the Park of Heros.
War monument in the Park of Heros.		 Colorful sculptured head on the war monument. You can see how the paint was peeling off it.
Colorful sculptured head on the war monument. You can see how the paint was peeling off it.		 Detail of battles fought as seen on the war monument.
Detail of battles fought as seen on the war monument.		 Next to the Park of Heros, this woman was buying fruit from a street vendor.
Next to the Park of Heros, this woman was buying fruit from a street vendor.
School girls attending the National Museum in the National Palace.
School girls attending the National Museum in the National Palace.		 Interior courtyard with palm trees in the National Museum.
Interior courtyard with palm trees in the National Museum.		 Typical Nicaraguan artwork on display in the National Museum.
Typical Nicaraguan artwork on display in the National Museum.		 This horsehead mask as seen in the National Museum is typical of masks seen in Nicaraguan festivals.
This horsehead mask as seen in the National Museum is typical of masks seen in Nicaraguan festivals.
Display of Nicaraguan masks in the National Museum.
Display of Nicaraguan masks in the National Museum.		 A surreal-looking display of masks in the National Museum.
A surreal-looking display of masks in the National Museum.		 A typical straw Nicaraguan hat on display in the National Museum.
A typical straw Nicaraguan hat on display in the National Museum.		 Another Nicaraguan hat on display.
Another Nicaraguan hat on display.
View of Lake Managua. It was ruined by the dumping of chemicals and waste. Swimming is not possible due to the pollution.
View of Lake Managua. It was ruined by the dumping of chemicals and waste. Swimming is not possible due to the pollution.		 A cross facing Plaza de la Fe Juan Pablo II (Plaza to the faith of Pope John Paul II) in Managua.
A cross facing Plaza de la Fe Juan Pablo II (Plaza to the faith of Pope John Paul II) in Managua.		 Sign for now central-left Daniel Ortega. In 2006, he won the presidency again with 38% of the popular vote.
Sign for now central-left Daniel Ortega. In 2006, he won the presidency again with 38% of the popular vote.		 Acoustical shell used for concerts in Managua.
Acoustical shell used for concerts in Managua.
View of the acoustical shell across Plaza de la Fe Juan Pablo II.
View of the acoustical shell across Plaza de la Fe Juan Pablo II.		 Monument at Plaza de la Fe Juan Pablo II (to Pope John Paul II).
Monument at Plaza de la Fe Juan Pablo II (to Pope John Paul II).		 Close-up of picture of John Paul II on the monument.
Close-up of picture of John Paul II on the monument.		 Statue of Simón Bolívar (the South American independence leader) as seen from Plaza de la Fe Juan Pablo II.
Statue of Simón Bolívar (the South American independence leader) as seen from Plaza de la Fe Juan Pablo II.
Close-up of the statue of Simón Bolívar.
Close-up of the statue of Simón Bolívar.		 The Acahualinca footprints, dating back 6,000 years, are the oldest proof of human activity in the area of Lake Managua.
The Acahualinca footprints, dating back 6,000 years, are the oldest proof of human activity in the area of Lake Managua.		 These tracks were left behind by a group of around 10 men, women and children.
These tracks were left behind by a group of around 10 men, women and children.		 Some thought these people were fleeing from an erupting volcano close by, but that theory has been discounted.
Some thought these people were fleeing from an erupting volcano close by, but that theory has been discounted.
The people were not running but, instead, were probably on their way to the lake to collect food and water.
The people were not running but, instead, were probably on their way to the lake to collect food and water.		 Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (new cathedral) replaced the ruined Santo Domingo Cathedral as Managua's main cathedral.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (new cathedral) replaced the ruined Santo Domingo Cathedral as Managua's main cathedral.		 The new cathedral was dedicated in 1994.
The new cathedral was dedicated in 1994.		 The “avant garde” construction symbolizes the desire of Nicaraguans to rebuild and modernize their country.
The “avant garde” construction symbolizes the desire of Nicaraguans to rebuild and modernize their country.
Modern globe-like skylights of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Modern globe-like skylights of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.		 The cathedral's tower displays a cross.
The cathedral's tower displays a cross.		 Geometric entrance of the new cathedral.
Geometric entrance of the new cathedral.		 View of the monumental interior of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
View of the monumental interior of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Corner of the interior of the cathedral with skylights overhead.
Corner of the interior of the cathedral with skylights overhead.		 The modern altar of the new cathedral.
The modern altar of the new cathedral.		 A crucifix hangs over the altar.
A crucifix hangs over the altar.		 This celestial-looking crucifix (with stars) is in a chapel inside the cathedral.
This celestial-looking crucifix (with stars) is in a chapel inside the cathedral.
Close-up of glass enclosed crucifix in the chapel.
Close-up of glass enclosed crucifix in the chapel.		 Pews inside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with a painting of Christ in the background.
Pews inside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with a painting of Christ in the background.		 Close-up of the painting of Christ with the sign Jesus, en Ti confio (in you I trust).
Close-up of the painting of Christ with the sign "Jesus, en Ti confio" (in you I trust).		 A driver took me to a shopping center in Managua where I saw this pre-Columbian-looking sculpture.
A driver took me to a shopping center in Managua where I saw this pre-Columbian-looking sculpture.
Another pre-Columbian-looking sculpture at the shopping center.
Another pre-Columbian-looking sculpture at the shopping center.		 This Nicaraguan sculpture was in a garden in front of the shopping center.
This Nicaraguan sculpture was in a garden in front of the shopping center.		 My driver took me to the Santo Domingo de Guzman church with this colonial exterior.
My driver took me to the Santo Domingo de Guzman church with this colonial exterior.		 The interior of Santo Domingo de Guzman is simple, but beautiful.
The interior of Santo Domingo de Guzman is simple, but beautiful.
A service was going on when I was there.
A service was going on when I was there.		 Even though I couldn't understand him, the priest's sermon was obviously a rousing one!
Even though I couldn't understand him, the priest's sermon was obviously a rousing one!

comment | share
Luis 29-Apr-2012 23:47
Congratulations on your excellent captures of Managua. Thank you for sharing and greetings from Lisbon.
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment
click on thumbnails for full image