A Guy Walks On Top A Catholic Church

View from the top looking South

A guy walks into the largest Catholic Cathedral in Latin America. He is not struck by lightning nor does he burst into flames of damnation, although there was a brief moment apprehension.

Inner Devil Voice - "OK superstar remember all those demeaning things you said about the Catholic Church?" "How the Vatican is corrupt and that Catholicism was to blame for some of the worst abuses in human history?"
Inner Angel Voice - gulping air and as much saliva as possible "umm yes"
Inner Devil Voice - Well it's go time. Enter at your own peril.
Inner Angel Voice - You don't scare me. (stepping lightly towards the entrance).."WAIT, what was that noise?
Inner Devil Voice - You see that volcano in the distance. She is just rumbling, getting ready for a possible visitor.
Inner Angel Voice - "Ah man, I hate having inner monologues with made up demons while the people around me look at me like I am nuts". "Wait did I just say that out loud?"

Some basic information about the Cathedral. The Cathedral of León, also known as the "Real and Renowned Basilica Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a significantly important and historic landmark in Nicaragua. The Cathedral was awarded World Heritage Site status with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The site's nomination is Nicaragua's third cultural landmark, following the ruins of León Viejo and El Güegüense .


The Cathedral's construction lasted between 1747 and 1814 and was consecrated by Pope Pius IX in 1860. It has maintained the status of being the largest cathedral in Central America and one of the best known in the Americas due to its distinct architecture and special cultural importance.

Due to the robustness of its walls, the Cathedral has survived tremors, volcanic eruptions of the volcano Black Hill and wars. Seven tunnels start under the church and lead to the other churches in the city. These tunnel are important historically but mostly for all the wrong reasons. More on that later

Beneath the Cathedral, in crypts designed to survive earthquakes, the mortal remains of 27 people rest, among them 10 bishops, 5 priests, an eminent leader of the independence movement, three poets, a musician, six notables and a slave. Most notable is the poet Rubén Darío.

** Thanks to Wikipedia for the above information. If you do a google search for leon cathedral Nicaragua you will find amazing pictures of both inside and outside the Cathedral.

Here are our intrepid group of rule breakers, yes your read that correctly rule breakers. We broke a few rules while on top of the church. Talk about pushing the envelope.
Jessica (one of the genuinely kind people I have met) Fran, Yours Truly, Briana (better known as chica loca), Keiran and Kathy who I have mentioned in past posts.

The climb was easy but steep and narrow. At the first level we entered a platform that housed a large assortment of beautiful brass bells. The views were great and it was a nice place to chill.

In this photo you can see where the bells use to hang but over time the wood could not maintain them any longer. They are now housed inside safe from the elements.

We then were able to walk on the roof but need to take off our shoes. Walking around on the roof the views were incredible and at times blinding. The sun reflecting off the white building game it more of a feeling of being in Greece. It was peaceful and you could just find a corner and chill for a bit.

Now with a sly grin Francesco says, lets break some rules. With out hesitation and a quick jump in our step we followed him. There was a gate, well what was left of a gate tied down with old string. There was a No Pasa sign on it. Francesco said, "ah we can not speak Spanish" and we moved quickly past the gate to the very restricted other side of the roof. We scurried like little mice to another bell housing.

It could not have been to restricted because there was a very large empty bottle of Flor de Caña rum nestled on one of the shelves. We did forget to close the gate and after about 15 minutes and  with a slight gasp Francesco gave a "oh oh". A couple of backpack laden tourists were walking in the restricted area oblivious to the fact it was off limits. So like the good soldiers we were, we high tailed it out of there, closed the gate behind us and left the picture snap happy wanders to their own devices.


This was a nice way to spend a couple of morning hours. During a rooftop conversation with Francesco about the revolutionary times he explained a few disturbing things that caught most of us off guard. The church was connected to 7 or 8 other churches in the area via an elabotrate underground tunnel system. The government soldiers would bring "prisoners" to the churches under the guise of protection. Each one of us pretty much thought the same thing. 
In truth, prisoners were marched below the churches along the corridors. First stop Prison 21 (which is now a museum) which is located in the heart of the city. Prisoners were tortured both in the prison and tunnel system. If you survived Prison 21 you were marched what I believe to understand was Prison 14. Its a long walk, what looked to be about 25 km, maybe more up into the hills. You could see the buildings from the top of the Cathedral. If you were sent there your fate was sealed.

The irony of these tunnels is that the smell of the dead an dying started to rise through the tunnels and into the streets. The citizens were not 100% aware of the tunneling system and the barbaric nature of them until they had to be closed down because of the smell.

As I have mentioned before, Nicaragua is a beautiful place with beautiful people. There modern history is violent  at times barbaric. It is with survival and passion that the Sandinista's overthrew the American supported Somoza government and 3 generations of oppression. They then tossed aside the Contra guerrilla movement also supported by the Americans. The wounds are still very fresh and you can view them every day if you just scratch the surface.

*************
Today I learned that an old friend of mine died last night.  I knew Charlie Ogilvie for a short time during grades 5 to the end of high school. We did not have a gymnasium at our primary school so every Friday we would pile into a bus and head to Sacred Heart School in Chippewa. They had a huge new gym that we had access to and got to meet and play sports with these weird kids who lived in Chippewa. I remember Charlie being the athlete everyone noticed. He was athletic, handsome and friendly. We all hated him for that!!
We ran into each other at various parties throughout the high school years and shared many mutual friends. Years would pass where we did not see each other. When we did he always had a smile, that infectious laugh and time for a quick beer and a chat. Then we would be off with no plans to meet or "lets keep in touch". We would see each other when we would see each other.
Charlie was not a part of my life and I was not a part of Charlies but our lives crossed at various paths and the memories are good. Charlie passed in his sleep.
I respect all of you however condolences are for his family. 

Deaths Coming, Life's Foreplay