The colonial city of Leon was founded by Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba in the year 1524 next to Lake Xolotlan and the active Momotombo volcano. There were important indigenous towns in the area. The city was actually built next to the town known as Imabite but in the year 1610 it was moved to its current location after being destroyed by a series of eruptions and the city was basically buried. This is why the city is called the Central American Pompey.