Masatepe
Masatepe [masaˈtepe] is a municipality in the Masaya department in Nicaragua and is located about 50 kilometers northwest of the capital Managua . The city is one of the "Pueblos Blancos" (the "White Villages") in Nicaragua. The name Masatepe is derived from the Nahuatl word Mazatl-tépec and means something like deer hill (mazatl = deer, tepec = place, hill).
| Masatepe | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Basic data | |
| State : | Nicaragua |
| Department : | Masaya |
| Residents: | 37.903 |
| Surface: | 59 km² |
| Height: | 455 m above sea level NHN |
| Time zone: | UTC -6 |
geography
Masatepe borders in the north on the municipalities of La Concepción and Nindirí, in the south on El Rosario, in the east on the Laguna de Masaya, Niquinohomo and Nandasmo and in the west on La Concepción, San Marcos and Jinotepe.
history
The first human groups to settle in the Masatepe area were descendants of the Chorotega indigenous people .
Today, mostly Spanish-speaking mestizos live in Masatepe .
Economy and Infrastructure
The basic economic activity of the municipality is agriculture ( coffee , poultry farming, beans , corn , rice , bananas and citrus fruits ). Trade is of great importance to the local economy, especially the marketing of handmade shoes and furniture.
The rattan furniture that is manufactured in Masatepe is known far beyond the country's borders.
traffic
Masatepe is connected to the surrounding communities by an extensive road network , on which buses and motorcycle taxis operate.
Culture and sights
The majority of the inhabitants profess the Catholic faith. The patron saint of the city is San Juan Bautista, who is also the namesake for the largest parish and the associated church of Masatepe.
One of the most important festivals is the feast of the Holy Trinity , which is represented by a more than 300 year old, life-size black Jesus figure "El Cristo Negro de La Santisima Trinidad" carved out of wood . The celebrations take place between May and June . People pray and dance to the Holy Trinity, religious ceremonies are held and colorful folk dances performed to the music of the marimba .
Buildings
San Juan Bautista Church
The main church of Masatepe is San Juan Bautista, which was built in 1745 and is dedicated to John the Baptist . The church has two bell towers , one of which can be used as a lookout tower. From the tower you can see the Masaya volcano. Inside the church is "El Cristo Negro de La Santisima Trinidad". The facade of the building is decorated with baroque style elements.
Veracruz Church
Another church in the city is the Church of Veracruz with a neoclassical facade.
The old train station
The old station building has been converted into a handicraft market where handicrafts and furniture are exhibited today.
Culinary
The Mondongo soup (" Sopa de mondongo "), a tripe soup, is a specialty of the country. Masatepe has a special kind of soup, a creation by Doña Nestor, a former citizen of the city. The popular soup is traditionally served with tortillas , avocado and quark .
Masatepe is also known for its confectionery ("Dulces de Masatepe"), which the sellers offer in animal or fruit shapes.
Sports
In Masatepe you can find the football club Deportivo Masatepe .
The “ Ballet Folclórico Masatepelt ” is a dance group in the city that is known across national borders and has performed in many countries.
Personalities
General José María Moncada Tapia (1870-1945), politician
Sergio Ramírez (* 1942), writer
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Mapa Nacional del Patrimonio Cultural, Natural y Turístico. Retrieved July 6, 2020 .
- ↑ Masatepe - Masatepe. Retrieved on July 6, 2020 (German).
- ↑ Mapa Nacional del Patrimonio Cultural, Natural y Turístico. Retrieved July 6, 2020 .
- ↑ Hanley, Rachael. Newton, Paula, 1972-: Nicaragua . Viva Pub. Network, 2010, ISBN 978-0-9825585-8-4 ( worldcat.org [accessed July 6, 2020]).
- ↑ La mejor sopa de mondongo es originaria de Masatepe - LVDS. July 2, 2018, accessed July 6, 2020 (Spanish).
- ↑ Hanley, Rachael. Newton, Paula, 1972-: Nicaragua . Viva Pub. Network, 2010, ISBN 978-0-9825585-8-4 ( worldcat.org [accessed July 6, 2020]).