National Museum of Nicaragua, Tourist Attractions, Culture
If you are planning to spend some time at a few museums in Nicaragua, you likely will not do much better than the National Museum of Nicaragua. Those with an appreciation for architecture will note that the museum is housed in one of the country’s most impressive buildings – though it doesn’t take a knowledge of architecture to appreciate this fact. The National Museum is housed in the National Palace. This building was founded in 1935 by President Juan Bautista Sacasa and it clearly reflects global architectural preferences that were common at the time.
The National Palace was used as the seat of government for well over fifty years but this all changed during the revolution. During this period of Nicaragua’s history, the building was taken by the Sandinistas and the local government was overthrown. This action put an end to the use of the National Palace as a governmental building and it is presently used as a historical building, housing the National Museum, the National Archive and the National Library. This is an excellent use of this massive edifice and the stateliness of the building is fitting for the timeless information that it contains within its walls.
Open to the public on a daily basis, the National Museum of Nicaragua houses many fascinating old artifacts and artworks. Its paintings date from the Pre-Columbian period and it also has statuettes and ceramics as well as a great variety of other artworks. There is a room dedicated to National Symbols and this is also intriguing to see. There is a small entrance fee that must be paid to gain access to the museum and this fee includes the services of a knowledgeable tour guide who will take you around the museum and explain the various exhibits. Foreigners are expected to pay in USD while locals pay with the local currency. If you are planning to visit this great historical attraction, you will find it at the Plaza de la Republica which is not far from the lake. A trip to the museum makes for a great little outing and provides interesting insight into the history of the people of Nicaragua.