El Viejo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
El Viejo
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Municipality
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 El Viejo
Location in Nicaragua
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| Country |  Nicaragua |
| Department | Chinandega |
| Area | |
| • Municipality | 492 sq mi (1,275 km2) |
| Population
(2022 estimate)
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| • Municipality | 91,446 |
| • Density | 185.76/sq mi (71.722/km2) |
| • Urban | 52,840 |
El Viejo is a city and a special area (called a municipality) in the Chinandega department of Nicaragua.
Contents
Discover El Viejo
El Viejo is a small city located near Chinandega. It is famous for its special foods. These include rosquillas (a type of doughnut) and cajetas (a sweet treat like caramel). You can also find bollitos de leche (a kind of scone).
The city is also known for a unique fruit called the toncua. This fruit is related to the papaya and is often eaten with honey.
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
El Viejo is home to a very old church. It is called the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in El Viejo. This beautiful church was built in the 1600s.
In May 1989, the Pope officially crowned an image inside the church. The church became a national religious sanctuary in 1995. Then, in February 1996, Pope John Paul II declared it a minor basilica. This happened during his second visit to Nicaragua.
A Special Statue and Font
The basilica has a baptismal font that dates back to 1560. It also holds a small statue of the Virgin Mary. A story says that a friar named Pedro de Zepeda y Ahumada was traveling with the statue. He was going to El Realejo, but a storm forced him to go to El Viejo.
The people of El Viejo loved the statue and wanted it to stay. When the friar tried to leave for El Realejo again, another storm sent him back to El Viejo. He decided this was a sign from above and left the statue in El Viejo.
The Silver Washing Ceremony
Every year on December 6, there is a special ceremony. It is called the lavado de la plata, which means "washing of the silver." During this event, the silver parts of the little statue are washed in front of the people.
City Connections
El Viejo is a twin city with Norwich in the United Kingdom. This means they have a special friendship and cultural exchange.
Famous People from El Viejo
- Joaquín del Cossío: He was a Supreme Director of the State of Nicaragua.
- Hermógenes L. Mora (born 1979): A well-known poet and author.
- Vicente Padilla (born 1977): A professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball.
- Roberto Sacasa (1840–1896): He served as the President of Nicaragua.
See also
In Spanish: El Viejo para niños
