Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Iglesia San José
Originally constructed in 1751 and used as a jail for indigenous rebels in the late 1800s,
this church was rebuilt in 1917 by Franciscan friars. She shows her age, but her baroque
gold-leaf altar and arched ceilings are lovely, and she fronts leafy Parque Rubén Darío.
CHURCH
Foreigners Cemetery
If you 'dig' graveyards, check out both the Foreigners Cemetery (and nearby National Ce-
metery) on the eastern edge of town, where you'll find great views and the headstone of
Benjamin Linder, an American hydroelectric engineer and unicycle clown who was killed
by Contra forces.
CEMETERY
El Castillo del Cacao
( 2772-2002;
www.elcastillodelcacao.com
; admission US$6; 9am-4pm Mon-Sat)
On the road
to San Ramón is Matagalpa's sweetest site. You've seen the chocolate bars by now, and if
you know what's good for you, you've also tasted Castillo de Cacao. Now tour the 'castle'
where they mix the cacao with sugar, cashews and coffee beans. A taxi from town costs
US$1 per person.
FACTORY
