With this new status, Gracias welcomed the arrival of numerous merchants and church leaders who transformed the architecture and socioeconomic structure in the city. Unfortunately, the boom lasted only a few years since the Audience was moved to Antigua, Guatemala.
Gracias is now one of those dormant cities that seems to awaken from a long and deep slumber. Hidden from the eyes of tourists and businessmen, the city remains discreetly apart from the tourist and trade routes, primarily local, just beyond the borders with the neighboring country of El Salvador.
Today Gracias is just beginning to make a name for itself and reveal all its natural and cultural treasures to the world. Located at the foot of Celaque National Park, Gracias has a huge potential for
scientific tourism and
ecotourism. With four magnificent churches, as well as unique houses, streets and colonial
estates, Gracias has a wealth of architectural richness that is unsurpassed. More importantly, the invaluable Lenca spirit survives in this city and mountains. As a stronghold of the Lenca culture, Gracias is a window to meet the descendants of the largest indigenous people encountered by the Spanish upon their arrival.
New hotels are being built which merge the modern with the colonial feel that is so predominant in the city. Tours to the churches, the Celaque National Park and Lenca communities are already a reality and many people come to the area in search of the deep-rooted traditions upheld by Gracias; all signs of better times to come for this colonial city.
colonial treasure
Gracias,Lempira
The colonial city of Gracias, in the department of Lempira, is located in the western region of Honduras. Gracias is one of the oldest cities in the country, founded in 1536. This occurred in Opoa, a site relatively close to the current location of Gracias. From that first moment, the only thing left standing is a small mud wall where the church was erected.
For various reasons, the original settlement was built the following year by order of Don Francisco de Montejo. After the rebellion of Chief Lempira the city was relocated, finally settling in its current location. This was the city’s third foundation and was made by Don Juan de Montejo on January 14, 1539.
Gracias quickly became consolidated, due to the abundance of natural resources in the region. In 1544, during the Audiencia de los Confines, the city was granted the highest administrative authority in the Spanish territories, which extended from southern Mexico to Nicaragua.
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