The Gallery of Heroes and Martyrs

Facebook

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The Gallery is now on Facebook! Become a fan today.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Galeria-De-Heroes-y-Martires-Esteli-Nicaragua/130447563652568

Video

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There is now video of Mothers of Heroes and Martyrs sharing their stories. Last year, MICA students in collaboration with the Youth Network of Estelí and the Association of Mothers of Heroes and Martyrs produced this video of the powerful history of the Revolution. Now, the video is online. You can watch it by following this link.
http://www.vimeo.com/8921705

Welcome

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Welcome
Bienvenidos a la Galería de Héroes y Mártires de Estelí!

Located in Estelí, a city painted in bright murals and alive with revolutionary history, the Gallery of Heroes and Martyrs is an essential stop for any travelers wishing to enrich their understanding of Nicaragua’s tumultuous history of dictatorship, revolution, and war.

The Gallery is a museum commemorating the last century of Nicaragua’s history, highlighting in particular the Revolution and the Contra war of the 1970s and 1980s. Started in 1982 by the Association of Mothers of Heroes and Martyrs, a solidarity group of women whose children were killed during these wars, the museum stands as a poignant memorial to the lives of the thousands of Nicaraguans who died fighting for freedom and revolutionary ideals.

Come explore the museum exhibit’s artifacts:

*
hundreds of photographs of young soldiers who lost their lives in the wars
*
a display of weapons, some homemade, from the insurrection in Estelí
*
personal possessions of the revolutionaries, including clothing and documents
*
original artwork depicting the revolutionary struggle

The exhibit begins with information on the roots of Nicaragua’s struggle to confront imperialism, from General Augusto C. Sandino’s crusade against the invasion by United States Marines to the emergence of the Sandinista party, which arose to challenge the brutality of dictator Anastasio Somoza. The exhibit also chronicles Nicaragua’s struggle to construct a post-revolutionary society reflecting the Sandinista ideals of freedom and equality, while simultaneously fighting off the violent Contra forces.

History

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The Museum started out as a collection of photos of the fallen that the Association of Mothers of Heroes and Martyrs displayed on the walls of rented houses. They began immediately after the revolution, moving the display from house to house wherever they could find the space. They then moved to the nearby Casa Cultura, once the house of Guardia Nacional officer René Molina and now a center of artesanía and muralists.

The mothers accumulated more photos and memorabilia from the war, collecting donations of clothing, photographs, and other belongings from family members of the fallen. They themselves wrote the descriptions on the wall, explaining the lives of their children and other figures and events from the decade of violence. Through many meetings and much effort, the mothers compiled all the information that remains in the Gallery today.

In 1984, the mothers found their permanent location in what was once the house of a wealthy Somocista. The mothers, together with a prison labor crew, constructed the museum, feeding the prisoners as they worked. A Chicano American and Mexican artist visited the museum and donated their time and skills to paint the murals throughout the museum- all of which are based on images of the Sandinista revolution. The municipal government now owns the land of the museum, with the understanding that they will protect it as a space that preserves national history. It is only through the dedication of the mothers, who show up every day on a volunteer basis and donate resources from their own meager incomes, that the museum continues to preserve and share this important piece of history.

Welcome

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Bienvenidos a la Galería de Héroes y Mártires de Estelí!

Located in Estelí, a city painted in bright murals and alive with revolutionary history, the Gallery of Heroes and Martyrs is an essential stop for any travelers wishing to enrich their understanding of Nicaragua’s tumultuous history of dictatorship, revolution, and war.

The Gallery is a museum commemorating the last century of Nicaragua’s history, highlighting in particular the Revolution and the Contra war of the 1970s and 1980s. Started in 1982 by the Association of Mothers of Heroes and Martyrs, a solidarity group of women whose children were killed during these wars, the museum stands as a poignant memorial to the lives of the thousands of Nicaraguans who died fighting for freedom and revolutionary ideals.

Come explore the museum exhibit’s artifacts:

hundreds of photographs of young soldiers who lost their lives in the wars
a display of weapons, some homemade, from the insurrection in Estelí
personal possessions of the revolutionaries, including clothing and documents
original artwork depicting the revolutionary struggle

The exhibit begins with information on the roots of Nicaragua’s struggle to confront imperialism, from General Augusto C. Sandino’s crusade against the invasion by United States Marines to the emergence of the Sandinista party, which arose to challenge the brutality of dictator Anastasio Somoza. The exhibit also chronicles Nicaragua’s struggle to construct a post-revolutionary society reflecting the Sandinista ideals of freedom and equality, while simultaneously fighting off the violent Contra forces.

Hours

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Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Weekends by appointment

The Gallery is funded solely by donations; your generosity is appreciated to support the upkeep of the museum and the Association of Mothers. Suggested donation is 40 córdobas / US $2 per person.

Mothers of heroes and martyrs are often available to speak about their experiences; to arrange a talk during your visit, see the Contact Us page.

Spanish School

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Heroes and Martyrs of Liberation Day Spanish School
La Escuela Héroes y Mártires 16 de Julio- Día de Liberación

The Gallery also offers Spanish School, with professional teachers available for both private and group lessons. Improve conversational fluency, grammatical skills, and Nicaraguan idioms while learning about Nicaraguan history and current events in a very personal, individually tailored setting. All proceeds from the Spanish School help fund the upkeep of the museum. Nicaraguan family homestays with members of the Association of Mothers can also be arranged.

Rates:
Spanish School: $80 per person for 5 days; 4 hours of class per day (20 hours total).
Spanish School with Homestay: $140 per person for 5 days; 4 hours of class per day plus all meals included.

Testimonials
“Spanish class at the gallery was just what I needed for a successful summer in Nicaragua. It gave me the confidence to use the Spanish I had learned in school, in the real world. I got to ask questions I had had for a long time, and it allowed me to jump into life in Estelí with eagerness and confidence.”
-Dina Rubey, university student and volunteer

“The four hours of class fly by. The teachers make class fun… small classes allow comfort and space to ask questions.”
-Maggie Bishop, university student and volunteeer

Accomodation at the Gallery

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Visitors and students are welcome to stay in the Hospedaje Galería, with simple dormitory-style hostel accommodations for up to six people conveniently located in the center of Estelí, just half a block from the central park. Access to kitchen available; meals are not included.

Rates:
$2 per person per night.

Contact Us

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Contact Us

jguc09@yahoo.com
madkreicar@gmail.com
Telephone Numbers:
505 419 3619
505 915 3061

Address:
Galería de Héroes y Mártires
Next door to the Casa de Cultura on the north side,
In front of Los Bomberos (Fire Station)
Esteli, Nicaragua

Ver Esta Página en Español

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Para ver esta página en Español:
http://galeriadeheroesymartires.blogspot.com