Saint lucas
Saint lucas San Lucas is a municipality in the department of Madriz in the Republic of Nicaragua. It boasts abundant natural and cultural wealth, steeped in history and indigenous traditions that reflect its Chorotega origins, as well as archaeological remains. Located 227 kilometers from the capital city of Managua, the municipality's first inhabitants were Chorotega tribes from Matagalpa. Between 1662 and 1673, the town of San Lucas received nine royal land titles issued by the King of Spain, which they kept secret, according to tradition, and finally became a municipality in 1913. The title of "Pueblo" (town) was conferred upon the urban settlement of this name by law on February 7, 1913. Interestingly, the municipality was legally dissolved by legislative decree on August 18, 1942, but was re-established by legislative law on August 17, 1945, becoming independent from the former town of Somoto.
87% of its inhabitants identify themselves as members of the Indigenous People.
The fundamental economic activity of the municipality is agriculture, standing out for the cultivation of basic grains.
The municipality of San Lucas also encompasses part of the Tepe Somoto – La Patasta Natural Reserve, located in the communities of El Volcán, Plan Fresco, El Apante, Cuyas, El Cedro, El Naranjo, Los Mangos, El Chichicaste, and Quebrada Abajo. The reserve sits atop ridges south of the city of Somoto, reaching altitudes of up to 1700 meters. Visitors can enjoy hiking and breathtaking views, swim in waterfalls, and observe the diverse flora and fauna. In the reserve's rural communities, you can experience the authentic countryside on tourist farms that offer tours of the coffee production process. You can also visit the caves of La Remendona, Leona, Cerro Morroñoso, and Baulito, as well as the petroglyphs of San Lucas, Mal Pasito, El Matasano, and Cueva El Gigante.
El Apante Community:
Located in the central core of the Tepe Somoto and La Patasta Natural Reserve mountain range, covered by cloud forests, suitable for adventure hiking in direct contact with nature and from the heights we observe the beautiful landscapes and relief of the surrounding towns and a large part of the border area with Honduras, in the recognition of the potential found in the indigenous trails of the Apante community that connects to various scenic sites embedded in the immense mountain range that are being integrated in the promotion of tourism activity.
The Namancambre Canyon,
Known as the Somoto Canyon, it is shared by the municipalities of Somoto and San Lucas, located about 400 meters north of the La Playa Bridge. It boasts stunning scenery, featuring impressive solid rock formations over 100 meters high. There, you can observe birds such as parakeets, hawks, jacanas, and herons, which nest among the rocks. Nearby are the Tapacalí and Comalí rivers, which feed into the Coco River, offering opportunities for water recreation and nature excursions.
Geo site La Remedona
Located in the community of La Manzana, in the municipality of San Lucas, department of Madriz, offering tourists typical rural experiences, nestled in one of the main geological sites of the territory. Rio Coco Geopark A place with privileged views to observe the natural relief of a large part of the Tepe Somoto and La Patasta Natural Reserve mountain range, where the main subjects or attractions are the geology intertwined with its natural landscapes, agricultural and cultural activities, a place conducive to developing leisure and recreation activities such as: Hiking, Horseback Riding, Camping, Observation, as well as sharing knowledge and interacting with the community about their ancestral traditions and the transmission of knowledge in the cultivation of the land through the practices of agricultural demonstration activities, in the use and handling of rudimentary tools and household work objects.
Vista Hermosa Cabins
Located in the El Chagüite community, just 2 km from the town of San Lucas, this is a relatively new community-based tourism venture, offering tourists the typical rural experience and direct contact with nature. Our cabins preserve their unique character, rustic charm, and quality, in a welcoming and comfortable environment where the values of hospitality, family service, and hospitality are promoted. We also offer complementary leisure and recreational activities.
Culture
The history and indigenous traditions of this municipality manifest its Chorotega origins, in addition to the archaeological remains found in the Los Matasano, Mal Pasito, El Bosque and Las Pintadas del Duende communities, in Loma Panda, about 500 meters from the craft workshop.
Legends
The people of San Lucas, with their indigenous roots, are very superstitious and still believe in legends, ghosts, evil spirits, and supernatural forces. This is why their history is filled with many legends and myths passed down from generation to generation. Among the most prominent legends are: El Rico de Moroto (The Rich Man of Moroto), El Pozo del Chagüite (The Chagüite Well), Leyenda de los Tesoros (Legend of the Treasures), Leyenda del Pájaro Wiss (Legend of the Wiss Bird), whose song announces the arrival of rain, and legends related to rain, fire, and the moon, among others.
Artistic expressions and manifestations
The musical genre of the town of San Lucas, as in the north-central part of Nicaragua, is the polka and the mazurka, which are the typical dances of the region.
Among some musical pieces, one can mention The Quartered and Mazurkawhich are performed with guitars, violin, maracas, accordion and mandolins.
One of the ancestral traditions in the El Porcal and El Guaylo Volcanoes, as in other places, is the “Palm dance"the one that is carried out when a child under ten years of age dies."
This dance consists of a dance performed by the godparents and parents of the child at the wake, performed to the sound of mazurka or polka, which are performed with the guitar.
Crafts Cultural Heritage of the Indigenous People.
Women Artisans of Loma Panda
Located in the community of Rio Arriba in the Loma Panda sector, 7 km west of the urban center of San Lucas, the artisan activity consists of the manufacture of different types of ceramics, made by artisans from the Loma Panda community who have already represented our country abroad, and constitute one of the unique living cultural treasures of our region, the diversity of products made are represented by cups, dolls, representations of animals, of deities, Christmas trees etc. The earth is the raw material for the elaboration of majestic molded works of art by the prodigious hands of female artisans, an ancestral tradition that has passed down from generation to generation and now transformed into cultural heritage of the Chorotega indigenous people; in this area of the country and in Madriz, which is part of the territory Rio Coco Geopark, with its original seal of traditional product; which possess extraordinary characteristics with their own traditional styles of transfer and inheritance of knowledge from their ancestors, which makes this work a cultural heritage of national relevance. The designs and shapes that come to life in the hands of these artisan women; They transmit symbols and narratives that have been a fundamental part of the history and identity of the community, preserving the creative work; that combines beauty e cultural identity from our indigenous Chorotega peoples; where each piece is made with a precise technique that stands out for its artistic majesty...in clay in multiple images where the sun, the moon, mythological animals, masks, etc. stand out, always committed to the rescue, promotion and conservation of the cultural aesthetic values of Red tagüe clay pottery from Loma Panda, with the experience, training and refinement in the natural mastery of the main techniques to obtain a quality product, using selected materials and specific firing methods.
Architecture
The vernacular architecture of the municipality of San Lucas reflects the traditions of this indigenous people who have built their houses with materials such as talquezal and clay roofs, preserving them over time as a testament to their ancestral culture.
Parochial Church. Over 200 years ago, the community of El Quebracho built the first chapel, a makeshift structure made of tree branches and thatch for celebrating Mass. The current church is a modern construction of concrete block and reinforced concrete; the roof tiles from the previous structure were reused. It features an image of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception on the front.
Municipal parkLike the church, it is located on the same land and is recognized as a historical site because of the cross installed by the Capuchin missionaries in 1938. Between 1996 and 2001, the park was planted with trees with the help of the community, and its remodeling is currently planned.
Museum of Heroes and Martyrs of San Lucas: A new space dedicated to history and culture, featuring a permanent chronological exhibition of the six stages of the Sandinista People's Revolution, the historical struggle of our people defending their gains in the restoration of their rights. There is also an exhibition of archaeological pieces with indigenous characteristics found at indigenous settlement sites, as well as ceramic objects and crafts made by the prodigious hands of the women artisans of Loma Panda, renowned nationally. Tools and rudimentary objects used in domestic household activities are also on display. Adjacent to this museum, we will find a Natural Park for restful sleep and Florencio Moreno Municipal House of Culture and Creativity, where the various cultural groups of the Municipality of San Lucas rehearse their theatrical, dance and singing works.
Sports Infrastructure.
Sports center, baseball and soccer field; Places where young people practice different sports disciplines, including baseball, soccer, and volleyball.
Religious Festivals
In this municipality, the patron saint festivities are held in honor of Saint Luke on October 18th. The image was found by the townspeople more than 150 years ago in a ravine near the town and has been venerated with great religious fervor ever since. The main activities of these festivities have a strong religious significance, including popular celebrations and fairs. On the morning of October 18th, the image of Saint Luke is carried in procession through the main streets, followed by a Mass.
The festivities are organized through the patronal committees and with the support of the Municipal Mayor's Office; both organizations work together to cover the costs of fireworks and music, which are part of the celebration.
Religious beliefs and oral tradition (Legends of the peoples)
The population celebrates La Purísima with great color on December 7, as well as the Easter and Christmas festivities.
Gastronomy
Corn and its derivatives are the main food source for the inhabitants of San Lucas. These include tortillas, tamales, stews, rosquillas, rosquetes, güirilas, atolillo, and other corn-based products.
Fermented beverages like chicha, made from corn and sugar; chilate is ground corn with sugar, formerly sweetened with fruits called guasitos, which are now used as cattle feed. Chilate derives from chilatero, a celestial body that appeared at 3:00 in the morning.
