Granada was founded in 1524 and is believed to be the oldest city established on mainland Nicaragua during the Spanish conquests. During colonial times the city was attacked by pirates several times.
The city León was originally founded by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Hernández de Córdoba in 1524. This city, however, was threatened by the erupting Momotombo volcano in 1610 and its citizens decided to leave. The city was moved to another place, further away from the Momotombo volcano, to the location where it still is today.
