5. Masaya Volcano, Nicaragua
Our first Central American doorway to hell on this list is the Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua. Nicknamed the “Gate to Hell” in the 16th century by the indigenous people and also Spanish invaders who feared it, it bears their mark to this day: a giant cross atop the volcano that was the Spaniards’ solution. They “baptized” the volcano and “exorcised” it of the devil by erecting this cross, called La Cruz de Bobadilla. They named the volcano itself La Boca del Infierno, which means “The Mouth of Hell.”
But it gets worse than these fearful conquistadors… The self-elected dictator Anastasio Somoza Garcia tossed prisoners and political enemies from helicopters into the fiery pit of the volcano, making it a literal hell on earth for many poor souls as well as a potential portal to the real thing.
It last erupted in 2003, and today visitors can see the volcano which continuously emits smoke and sulfur gases, making it easy to picture what the Spaniards were so afraid of, I am sure.
Discussion about this post