Masaya Volcano National Park
Granada, NicaraguaMarch 7th, 2017
Masaya Volcano is located in Nicaragua's largest national park, and one of 78 protected areas of Nicaragua. This consists of two volcanos and multiple craters, the largest is Las Sierras. It remains an active volcano and last erupted in January 2016. We toured the volcano, hiked to the top of a crater, explored the lava caverns and went on a bat tour.
Beautiful view. The black in the background is ash from one of the eruptions.
Las Sierras Crater
This crater emits heavy concentrations of sulfur gas. The gas impedes the view of the lava. On a good day some are able to see a faint red glow from the lava.
Craters edge
Hiking to the top of a crater
"La Cruz de Bobadilla"
The volcano was feared by the locals. They believed that if they sacrificed prisoners and others it would please the gods. A priest, Father Francisco Bobadilla came to put a stop to the sacrifices and to exorcise the Devil. He erected a cross, "La Cruz de Bobadilla"on the craters edge and blessed it. The cross remains at the craters lip to this day but it is no longer open to the public.
View of the volcano from on top of the crater
Panoramic view of the crater (click on pic to enlarge)
Another active volcano in the background
Geared up for a tour of the bat caverns
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