The cathedral survived the 1931 Nicaragua earthquake , as only its iron core had been erected at the time . Four decades later , the cathedral was heavily damaged during the 1972 Nicaragua earthquake , and the building was subsequently condemned though it was not demolished . The closing of the cathedral eventually led to the construction of the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception , also known as the New Cathedral of Managua , which was completed in 1993 . Since that time , the restoration of the Old Cathedral has appeared to be possible
1972 Nicaragua earthquake
1972 Nicaragua earthquake
Old Cathedral of Managua