The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.[1] Nicaragua accepted the convention on December 17, 1979, making its historical sites eligible for inclusion on the list. As of 2023, Nicaragua has two World Heritage Sites, both located in León Department. [2]
Nicaragua| Name | Image | Location | Criteria | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruins of León Viejo | 
|
León Department | Cultural (iii) (iv) | 2000 | León Viejo is one of the oldest Spanish colonial settlements in the Americas. It did not develop and so its ruins are outstanding testimony to the social and economic structures of the Spanish Empire in the 16th century. Moreover, the site has immense archaeological potential.[3] |
| León Cathedral | 
|
León Department | Cultural (ii) (iv) | 2011 | Built between 1747 and the early 19th century to the design of Guatemalan architect Diego José de Porres Esquivel, the monument expresses the transition from Baroque to Neoclassical architecture and its style can be considered to be eclectic. The Cathedral is characterized by the sobriety of its interior decoration and the abundance of natural light. The vault of the Sanctuary, however, presents rich ornamentation. The Cathedral houses important works of art including a wooden Flemish altarpiece, and paintings of the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross by Nicaraguan artist Antonio Sarria (late 19th and early 20th centuries).[4] |
| Site | Image | Location | Criteria | Area ha (acre) |
Year of submission | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortress of the Immaculate Conception | 
|
Río San Juan Department | Mixed | 1995 | [5] | |
| The Natural Reserve "Miskitos Keys" | 
|
North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region | Natural | 1995 | [6] | |
| The Natural Reserve "Bosawás" | 
|
Jinotega Department, North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region | Natural | 1995 | [7] | |
| Volcan Masaya National Park | 
|
Managua Department, Masaya Department | Natural | 1995 | [8] | |
| City of Granada and its natural environment | 
|
Granada Department | Mixed | 2003 | [9] |
