by Adelaida Betancourt
Just 45 kilometers southwards out of Managua are the White Towns (Pueblos Blancos), also known as the “Wizard Towns” or Pueblos Brujos. White Towns because that is the color of most of the adobe houses. Wizard Towns because of the fortune telling and sorcery some of its residents are famous for.
These small towns just up the hills from Masaya are known for their handicrafts (pottery, furniture, woodwork, etc.) and each has its own special charm. They are ripe with history and a delight for eyes seeking to take in picturesque sites.
These towns are very religious and conserve their cultural traditions. A noteworthy one is the Journey of the Oxcarts. Every Easter, ox-drawn carts laden with fruits as an offering to the Church leave from Masaya and pass through the White Towns on their way to San Jorge on the shores of Lake Nicaragua in the Department of Rivas.



