In 1659, mayor Jeronimo Villegas requested land from a
Spanish government representative, Sebastian Alvarez, for the foundation of a
town. This request was granted on April 24, 1668. On June 11, 1877, Juigalpa
was declared the department capital for the second and last time after a 19
year dispute with Acoyapa.
Juigalpa was elevated to the status of a city on January 27, 1879. The name
Juigalpa means “land abundant of jicaro,” and “origin of black snails”
