Nicaraguan Pompeii: the ruins of the ancient colonial city of León, hidden by the eruption of the Momotombo volcano in 1610. AncientLeón was not destroyed but buried under volcanic ash.

The ruins of León Viejo (Ruinas de León Viejo), also known as León Viejo (Old León), are located in the Puerto Momotombo region (lakeport on Lake Managua), 30 km east of modern León. The archaeological zone is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Nicaragua's second-oldest city was founded by the Spanish in 1524 and quickly became one of the most important in the region. Gold from Nicaragua and other countries was exchanged in León, the city of successful merchants. The ruins of this city are vivid evidence of the economic and social achievements of the Spanish Empire in the 16th century.

León Viejo was one of the first urban centers in the New World. In terms of hierarchy, it was the main city of the region, with the seat of the provincial colonial government and the seat of the head of the diocese. It is a partially preserved example of 16th-century urban planning and architecture. Some of the ruins were discovered in 1931, and three decades later, in 1967, researchers from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN-León) returned to study the archaeological zone. The excavations included the remains of buildings and surrounding areas. Traveling back in time there, you see that ancient León was like almost every city in Latin America at the time: designed traditionally with the main square in the center. You can see residential buildings, some public buildings, churches.

Currently, León Viejo is a cultural and historical monument, where you can visit the ruins of the ancient city, see ancient statues, and restored parts of buildings.

You can get to the archaeological park by bus to the village of La Paz Centro, located on the Managua-León highway. The bus journey from León Viejo to La Paz Centro takes about half an hour. Near the city is the Momotombo volcano and Lake Xolotlán.