General National Archive

The General National Archive is a national archives and library in Managua located on the second floor of the National Museum of Nicaragua. It stores approximately ten million documents organized in specialized collections, including a map section with original cartography of the country.

The institution was founded in 1863 by a presidential decree that established regulations for the governmental archive under the Finance Ministry. A major fire in March 1931, triggered by an earthquake, destroyed most of the colonial-era materials in the land records section.

The institution holds the Sandino Collection and a photography section called Fototeca that document key moments in the nation's past. These materials show what stories the country has chosen to preserve and share.

The archive provides a reading room, an auxiliary reference library, and photocopying services during regular operating hours. Researchers should plan to access collections during these standard hours when staff are available to assist.

The 1931 earthquake that destroyed many colonial records revealed how fragile these old documents were and sparked discussions about preservation. This disaster shaped how the archive protects its most valuable materials today.

GPS coordinates: 12.11720,-86.24079

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:26