The history of the colonization of the Americas is highly complex, especially due to the amount of political actors involved in territorial disputes in a short space of time. As representative of this history, few spaces are as memorable as Granada, in Nicaragua. The history of the colonization of the Americas is highly complex, especially due to the amount of political actors involved in territorial disputes in a short space of time. As representative of this history, few spaces are as memorable as Granada, in Nicaragua.
Founded in 1524, the city was stage to a multilateral dispute of political interests. In a first moment, its domination, as well as of all Central America, was done by the Spanish Empire, which founded the city. Throughout time, however, the possibility of producing agricultural goods highly valued in Europe aroused other powers’ interest in the region.
Thus, at different moments in these last five hundred years, the French, the Dutch, the English and the Spaniards disputed this region, knowing that dominating these lands in Central America would mean a great political and economic advantage among the powers of the moment.
Granada is a great allegory of all this history. The city is marked by symbols of distinct European cultures that show how important this place was in the scenario of international politics. There are many mansions, churches, public buildings and urban styles that present, each one of them, a different bias.
Thus, for history buffs, walking along the city streets is, in itself, quite a tour. It’s also possible to find some options of historic tours that take tourists to the main spots, contextualizing each one in a different way. Whichever way it’s done, what is important is analyzing how Granada is highly diverse and multiple in terms of its colonial identity.
Due to the Caribbean appeal of the region, a great part of Nicaragua’s tourism is represented by luxury resorts and hotels, which are also an option for those who only wish to rest during part of the trip. Granada is inserted in this context too, so it also offers tourists this option.
Therefore, a trip like this pleases various tourist personalities: those who are interested in history and like to see the artifacts that marked our trajectory, and those who seek relaxation. Both are perfectly satisfied by a city like Granada, which is outside the grand touristic circuit, but is extremely rich in every sense.
