The historic center of San Salvador holds traces of the history of an entire nation. Plaza La Libertad, in particular has special historical and archeological value. The center is where the history of the city begins, and some may say, the history of the Salvadoran people. Beyond the architectural design and European heritage, the center has it all, offering visitors entertainment, gastronomy, and activities in each of the buildings, as well as live shows in the Plaza.
The historic center of San Salvador comprises the area where the expansion of the capital city of El Salvador began in the 16th century. The original buildings of the Spanish colony were mostly destroyed by natural disasters over the years, and the notable buildings that survived were erected in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The place has served as the center of political, economic and religious power in the country’s history.
National Palace. Image Courtesy: Mauricio Cáceres.
The 1986 earthquake severely damaged the area and, due to the increased population growth in the country, the main Rubén Darío street was occupied by a large amount of informal commerce that spread to the entire historic center where governments of different parties were challenged to manage, oversee and recover.
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador, in Decree No. 680 published in the Official Gazette on August 21, 2008, granting the title of Historic Center to the area whose limits are established in said document.
During the 1986 earthquake, the historic center was partially destroyed and many buildings disappeared from the site, such as the Rubén Darío building, the Hotel Gran San Salvador and many more that surrounded the area. In the midst of the civil war, El Salvador rose from the rubble and commerce revived on the Rubén Darío Street and its surroundings.
In recent modern history, several mayors have promised or attempted to bring order to the plaza and modernize it. But it wasn’t until March 1, 2015, when the current president of the republic, Nayib Bukele, took office as mayor of the capital, that the historic center started its new phase.
New and Modern Mercado Hula Hula. Image Courtesy: Mauricio Cáceres.
The former mayor and current president of El Salvador Bukele completely transformed the historic center in a single period and made million-dollar investments, such as the replacement of the entire electrical system and introduced it underground, which gave another showiness to Plaza Barrios and Parque Libertad.
He remodeled a good part of the historic center, illuminated it, made significant changes to its streets and restored the National Palace, the National Theater and the Cuscatlán Park, which today is a great tourist attraction and a place where Salvadorans come to rest or exercise.
Teatro Nacional. Image Courtesy: Mauricio Cáceres.
President Bukele implemented daily transformations throughout the entire metropolitan area of the capital; a significant change that has benefitted Salvadorans. He transformed the capital in a short time and today many tourists arrive at night and enjoy the restaurants that offer exquisite dishes.
The fully illuminated Cathedral and National Theater are popular nighttime attractions. Current Mayor, Mario Duran launched the rescue and ordering of the Historic Center within an understanding of the renovation’s effect on the informal and formal merchants of the Rubén Darío area, and other occupied arteries in the center of the capital.
Mario Duran, Alcalde. Image Courtesy: Mauricio Cáceres.
Work begins. Calle Ruben. Image Courtesy: Mauricio Cáceres.
Work is still under way to rescue the historic center, which has attracted thousands of tourists and Salvadorans themselves, to see those streets and avenues that for years were occupied by informal vendors.
Many historic buildings can be seen today, and the city hall holds cultural events in the place, where hundreds of people gather to enjoy concerts by the youth symphony, as well as exhibitions of old cars and other cultural activities.
This will be the look of the future national library. Image Courtesy: Mauricio Cáceres.
Mayor Mario Duran has many projects in mind in the capital city. Today the monuments can be enjoyed during the day or night. Tourists and local visitors enjoy the walks along the historic center, from Parque Bolivar to the cathedral and Plaza Libertad.
Tourists in Portal La Dalia.Image Courtesy: Mauricio Cáceres.
The shops that were an icon during the 1980s can now be seen on that street, which before were hidden from sight by informal sales crowds. This includes the historic building of the Telecommunications Administration, ANTEL, which everyone knew as The Telegraph.
Also today there is a modern Hula Hula market, where all the vendors of the unoccupied area are housed. The recovery project has brought to sight unique buildings, like the Para Vida hospital on Rubén Darío Street, and The Salvadoran Institute of Tourism, ISTU, which for years could not be seen. Today, these very old structures and so many historic buildings are visible to the public and many visit the center to take photographs.
New and Modern Mercado Hula Hula. Image Courtesy: Mauricio Cáceres.
Instituto de Turismo.Image Courtesy: Mauricio Cáceres.
The rescue of the capital’s Historic Center is “an unprecedented urban megaproject bringing more cleanliness, order and security, and revealing a large part of our history and our culture,” said the Head of State.
These efforts are being achieved thanks to the new government led by a young president like Nayib Bukele, an official with a great futuristic vision for El Salvador leading modernization projects for the country.
Correspondent for El Salvador & Latin America
Mauricio Alexander Cáceres García is a Correspondent for Latina Republic focused on El Salvador and Latin America. He is a renowned Photojournalist and Documentarian from El Salvador. His work showcases the power of human stories. Among his specializations, Cáceres has reported on “The migrant route” of the Guatemalan border, Mexico and the United States. Cáceres has a degree in Migration from the Universidad de Centro América, UCA. Cáceres has served as Editor of the newspaper Más, EDH and elsalvador.com. He has extensive experience in national and international news coverage and has won several photography awards throughout Latin America, including second place in a photographic contest centered on the migrant woman, and earning the Santa Clara de Asís prize for his report on the migrant route.
Correspondent for El Salvador & Latin America
