Nicarao Cacique
The current department of Rivas was for thousands of years, due to its quality as an isthmus, a mandatory route for the indigenous and settlers of America.
The ethnic groups that settled in this territory were the Chorotegas, these being the oldest that arrived from the Chiapas region between 800 AD and 1200 AD, followed by the Nicaraguans, a Nahuatl-speaking group who were the last to arrive. ; the exact date of their arrival is unknown, apparently they were established in 1200 AD, according to ethnohistoric and archaeological evidence.
The Spanish reached the Pacific coast of Nicaragua in 1522 and by 1524 they had established the first permanent settlements of Europeans.
Rivas was the first region explored by the Spanish colonizers, in 1523 the historical event called "Encounter of the two worlds" between Gil González Dávila and the Cacique "Nicarao" took place. The first settlement of Spaniards and indigenous people occurred in the southwestern sector of the city, in the current La Puebla neighborhood in the year 1607, they came from Granada, where they had cattle ranches and cocoa plantations.
Rivas was the scene of famous battles in the war against the filibusters of William Walker. In the first battle, William Walker and forces of the Democratic side attack the city in 1855 and are defeated by the forces of the Legitimist side. The skirmish that featured Nicaraguans on both sides is remembered by the heroic action of the Nicaraguan teacher Emmanuel Mongalo y Rubio and the worker Felipe Neri Fajardo who volunteered to set fire to the house of Don Máximo Espinoza, where the filibusters were sheltered. In the second battle, which took place in 1856, the forces of the Costa Rican army, led personally by President Juan Rafael Mora Porras, defeated those of Walker, although with a high number of casualties.
Emmanuel Mongalo and Rubio
As witnesses of these battles are some sites that were protagonists of these historical events and that have been declared Historical Cultural Heritage of the Nation, among them: the old Loma de Carazo, scene of different heroic days from the National War to the revolutionary processes fought in July 1979 and the old Casa del Obrero, one of the main stages in the political and social struggles that took place against the Somoza dictatorship.
In 2001 the city of Rivas was declared Historical Cultural Heritage of the Nation by decree of law; Also 33 immovable cultural assets including churches, parishes, houses, villas, tombs and historical places. Currently the community of Veracruz, one of the four indigenous communities that conserves a large part of their way of life, customs, has the privilege of having in its territory. and traditions inherited by their ancestors.
Artistic expressions and manifestations
The musical theme "The Clean Blackberry”By Justo Santos, known as the Regional Anthem of Nicaragua, was composed by Rivense Justos Santos (1925-1958).
cultural tourism
Meet the Museum of Anthropology and History of Rivas, It is an old colonial-style house where you can see exhibits of pre-Columbian pieces that reflect the history of this town, in the backyard a beautiful and always alive Sacuanjoche, you will also know a cart that formerly served to transport tucas of thick and thick wood. impassable forests of the municipality. It is located from the National Police 2 blocks west, 20 meters. to the north. Open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Local figures who have contributed to the history and culture of the town
Rivas is very proud to be the cradle of important figures of our nation, of heroes and talents of our culture.
Emmanuel Mongalo and Rubio. National hero, teacher, writer, poet and immortal figure of the 1855 battle fought in the city of Rivas against Walker's filibusters.
Evaristo Carazo
Rivas Museum
Adam CardenasPresident of Nicaragua between 1883 and 1887, he was also the first Nicaraguan doctor to graduate from Europe.
Evaristo Carazo, President of the country between 1887 and 1889, stood out in the National War against the filibuster Walker, obtaining the rank of Colonel.
Teacher Grace Chavez Martinez, (1884-1960) founder of the Colegio de Señoritas La Concepción, on August 20, 1913 and the first Union of Teachers of Rivas on November 9, 1947.
Rafael Casanova Fuertes Historian and writer, he has represented Nicaragua in different international events. His stories and narratives about Rivas stand out as well.
Ramon ValdezTogether with his wife, he has rescued the tradition of the pilgrim carts under the motto "Walking the road with the pilgrims"; Valdez also stands out for being a great promoter of the rivensity being the author of the famous phrase for the people of Rivera, "Whoever knows Rivas the most, loves Nicaragua the most."
Ramón Valdez and his Wife
The priests Leonel Navas y Alfonso Alvarado Lugo, parish priests of the Sanctuary of Popoyuapa provided all the support in the rescue of the pilgrim carts.
Edgar Lopez Espinoza, the only batter in the history of Nicaragua whose average with a wooden bat is .330 and one of the best short-stops in the history of national baseball. López is also the only rivense with 1,500 hits scored.
Juana Vargas Tejada, (1947-2015) was a teacher, poet and writer, author of eight books of poetry and two of short stories. His literary work was recognized with the orders Rubén Darío, Lazo de Dama of the Washington Institute, among others.
Alvaro Urtecho, poet and writer who came to be considered one of the best literary critics of his time.
jamie marenco, writer and promoter of the rivense culture, also ventures into history and anthropology.
Felix Peña, was mayor of Bethlehem, writer and organizer of cooperatives.
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