Oldest buildings in San Marcos

Follow the street from southwest corner of the park, two blocks down and you’ll come across what are known as the oldest houses in San Marcos. Although not markedly different from their neighbors, with sunken foundations, tile roofs and unadorned facades, the residents claim that these buildings are roughly 200 years old. Built with a mixture of adobe, pottery and wood known as “taquezal,” the homes were once filled with gilt lamps, thick drapes and plush rugs; all the trimmings of their aristocratic owners. From their homes, the owners would ride out to check on their coffee fincas or would sell water in great wooden barrels to city residents. In 1936, General José Maria Moncada, then President of Nicaragua, stopped by for a visit. Stop in at the tiny pulpería in the front of one of the houses and you can catch a glimpse of the original wood beam roof.

Location:
From the southwest corner of the park, two blocks down.

San Marcos, Nicaragua

Historical Building

Relative price: Budget

Travel Skills: None

About this Page

By Rachael Hanley
A sometime newspaper journalist with a heavy side of wanderlust, Rachael moved to Quito in November to work on the V!VA staff. She is currently...

Created: 02 May 2009

Updated: 02 May 2009