Granada, Nicaragua: The City of Doors
Granada, Nicaragua is alive with passion, fresh food, and unique local voices. From the candy-colored colonial buildings to the old-world carriage rides, Granada evokes a sense of wonder and artistic splendor. The city is packed with intriguing architecture, artisan workshops, galleries, coffee shops, gardens, parks, and scenic lake views that spur Granada’s intellectual curiosity and artistic expression.
Granada, Nicaragua
One element in particular has captured visitor’s attention: the doors. Granada, Nicaragua is known for its intricate and colorful entryways, so much so that the city has earned the nickname “the City of Doors.”
Spanish-style houses and large wooden doors line Granada’s brick streets. The doors highlight the talented artists and woodworking tradition in Nicaragua. Many open up to beautiful lobbies, lush green gardens with mango trees, water fountains, and interior courtyards.
Often, the doors are painted in or cast against empowering colors like: ruby reds, sea-foam blues, and canary yellows. Artists, locals, and tourists alike enjoy capturing the colorful doors on film. Check out these Instagram-worthy shots:
Photo courtesy of Angie Harms on Flickr.
Photo courtesy of Angie Harms on Flickr.
Photo courtesy of Angie Harms on Flickr.
Photo courtesy of Angie Harms on Flickr.
Photo courtesy of Angie Harms on Flickr.
Granada’s combination of exquisite architecture, scenic lake views, and stunning city streets fosters a sense of wonder and worldly charm. This charm is the result of Granada’s rich intellectual and artistic tradition.
Nicaraguans have used art as an outlet for political and social commentary for generations. The Vanguardia literary movement in 1927 is one of the most famous examples of artistic expression in Granada. This movement, led by poet and teacher, Jose Coronel Urtecho, encouraged Granada’s citizens to challenge traditional thinking. Today, this tradition is still alive and manifests itself in everything from street art and park exhibitions to the annual International Poetry Festival which draws poets and professors from across the world.
A poet reads her work aloud at the Carnival Poetica. Photo by: Jorge Mejía peralta.
Granada is alive with flavor, tradition, and stellar artisanal beauty. Here at Pacaya Lodge & Spa, we work with a network of 16 local artisans to promote Nicaraguan culture. These artisans use local woods, fibers, and traditional resources to build the lodges, beds, furniture, cabinets, blankets, hammocks, fixtures, and more. We are honored to have them and share their story at the lodge. We will host weekly exhibitions to feature these artists and share their unique stories and craft with guests.
Pacaya Lodge & Spa’s guest rooms were designed by local artisans. Note the woodwork!
We hope you will have a chance to visit the City of Doors while you are here. Don’t forget to bring your camera.
Pacaya Lodge & Spa is less than half-an-hour away from Granada. We provide daily shuttles to the city so that you can explore the markets, parks, churches, scenic views of Central America’s largest lake and more.
Pacaya Lodge & Spa also offers a number of tours and excursions to Granada including horse-drawn carriage rides, guided city tours, artisanal tours and more. These tours provide guests with the opportunity to browse outdoor markets, stroll through the Plaza Central, and admire the city’s iconic sites, cathedrals, architecture, and world renowned doors. Check out our tours here.
Come visit!
