El Viejo is also the site of a colonial-era church,
the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in El Viejo (Basílica Inmaculada Concepción de María en
El Viejo), built in the 17th century. The church was elevated to the
status of national religious sanctuary on October 8, 1995, and was declared a
minor basilica on February 7, 2006 byPope John Paul II, during his second visit
to Nicaragua.
