Iglesia de la Merced | Granada

GRANADA, Nicaragua — Behind the run-down facade of Iglesia de la Merced is one of the most important churches in Granada. And its clock tower offers the best view of the city.

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Last Updated:

When I first saw the crumbling facade, it reminded me of some of the earthquake ruins in Antigua, Guatemala.

But behind the facade is a living, breathing church, and one of the most important in Granada.

It’s located about three blocks west of Parque Central and dates to 1539. But, along with many of Granada’s landmarks, it has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times in the centuries since. The current facade, looking in need of some repairs, dates to the 1780s. More damage in the 1850s led to the interior being rebuilt in 1862.

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Stained Glass Window at Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Stained Glass Window at Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Altar at Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

The Clock Tower

A highlight of Iglesia de la Merced is its bell tower. You can climb to the top, where you’ll get 360-degree views over the rooftops of Granada. To the east is the Cathedral of Granada and Lago Nicaragua. To the south is Mombacho Volcano. In all directions are the tiled rooftops of the city.

As you go up you come across the exposed ropes for the church bells. Nearby are signs, in several languages, asking visitors quite emphatically not to ring the bells, a sure sign than mischievous tourists have done just that.

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

View from the Clock Tower at Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Bell Tower at Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

View from the Clock Tower at Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Bell Tower at Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Mombacho Volcano, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

View from the Clock Tower at Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Iglesia de la Merced, Granada, Nicaragua
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

What to Know Before You Go

  • There’s no entrance fee to the church itself. Tickets to climb the bell tower are $1 (or whatever the equivalent in cordobas is at the current exchange rate). Buy tickets from the counter just inside the door at the base of the tower.
  • The clock tower closes at 5:30 PM.
  • The climb is short but very steep, up a tight spiral staircase.

Travel Advice for Nicaragua

You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Nicaragua (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.

The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Nicaragua here and the Australian Government's here.

Health & Vaccinations

The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Nicaragua here.

General Information on Nicaragua

The CIA's World Factbook contains a lot of good factual information Nicaragua and is updated frequently.

  • Official Name: Republic of Nicaragua
  • Capital: Managua
  • Population: Approximately 6.4 million (2023 estimate)
  • Area: 130,373 square kilometers (50,337 square miles)
  • Official Language: Spanish
  • Currency: Nicaraguan Córdoba (NIO)
  • Government Type: Presidential republic
  • President: Daniel Ortega (as of 2023)
  • Major Industries: Agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and tourism
  • Natural Resources: Arable land, gold, silver, copper, timber, and fish
  • Climate: Tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
David Coleman / Photographer

David Coleman

I'm a freelance travel photographer based in Washington DC. Seven continents, up mountains, underwater, and a bunch of places in between. My images have appeared in numerous publications, and you can check out some of my gear reviews and tips here. More »