The City of Granada, in the Province of Nicaragua, in the 18th Century, According to the Apostolic Visit of Morel de Santa Cruz.

Abstract

Since its founding in 1524, Granada has been considered one of the most important cities in the former Province of Nicaragua. Its location, abundant cultural and natural resources, and a multitude of events have shaped its mark in national history. The historical document of the apostolic visit by Bishop Pedro Agustín Morel de Santa Cruz, carried out between 1751 and 1752, is a valuable and unique source due to the extensive coverage of statistical, geographical, environmental, and typological-constructive data, among others. The analysis of the prelate’s report, along with other sources of information, allowed for the interpretation of the social, political, and economic landscape of this hegemonic city, which commemorates its five hundred years of foundation, just like its counterpart León de Imabite (León Viejo). Urbanistically, Granada follows a checkerboard layout adapted to the characteristics of its natural environment. A road axis running east-west, known as Calle Jalteva, directed its urban development and connected the peninsula core with the Jalteva neighborhood. The city had seven churches, convent complexes, and seven hundred families distributed in more than six hundred houses built with adobe and wooden framework, covered with baked clay tiles or straw. Its economy was partly supported by agriculture and livestock, with connections to nearby cities, towns, and villages in the province, as well as to Guatemala. Finally, it is hoped that this work will serve as a reference for the development of future systematic research on our cities, and even on our disappeared towns, as a means of safeguarding our identity.