A spiral staircase led up to the roof. Once there, one was immediately struck by the drab look of a roof with mounds that underneath are called domes.

There was no belfry. Instead, bells were hung inside arches at the front of the cathedral roof. Small ones were held with up with rope. Large ones, as here, were held up with steel straps.

In two of the larger arches, statues of men stood on either side. One arch lacked a bell. The other one, shown here, included a huge, heavy bell. The visual effect was that the statues were holding up the support holding the bell.

A line of domes with open-windowed structures atop each. The design seen from underneath is one of clean elegance. But when seen from above, the effect is much less desirable.

The walls of the roof showed signs of graffiti on the odd wall here and there.

Storm clouds threatened the western sky that day. As the clouds masked the sun, this statue with a huge halo was set into silhouette, and appeared to be facing a modern antenna.

The center of the cathedral roof had two huge mounds with no opening on top, and one small one with indirect light windows. Beyond it was a huge dome, also with indirect light windows atop it.

A closeup shot of the indirect light windows atop a dome. The windows lacked glass but were set back and thick enough to exclude rain.

The roof appeared as if totally painted in black and white. Only in a few spots, such as here, were there any touches of color.

The roof was built of massive stone. But the electricity was wired in a feeble and weak manner.

Beyond the austere black and white look of the cathedral roof were the other roofs of León, Nicaragua. Much more colorful and celebratory than this roof.

Note the two birds perched in the foreground.

A stone fence surrounded the roof to provide safety. Viewed from below, the fence softened the edge of the roof.

Behind, yet a part of, the cathedral was a palatial residence for the bishop. To the left, on the lawn, was a fountain. To the right, also on the lawn, was a massive cracked bronze bell on a stone stand.