Located about 45 kilometers from Managua, it is known as the “town of potters,” and the artisans here have been creating beautiful pieces out of clay since before the Spanish conquistadors invaded the region. Upon entering the small town, which has a beautiful setting overlooking the Masaya lagoon, you’ll see dozens of pottery shops. The majority of people here earn their living creating colorful works of art and are very friendly and happy to share their work and the stories behind it with travelers. Most of the shops are family-run affairs, with one member in charge of the carving and design, another overseeing the kiln, and a third polishing the finished product.