Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa on the map of El Salvador

Chalchuapa is the main town of the same name municipios in the south of the department of Santa Ana in western El Salvador. The name is taken from the Nahuatl language and means something like " Jadefluss. "

Location

Chalchuapa lies at an altitude of about 700 m above sea level. inst and about 80 kilometers from the capital, San Salvador. The border of the neighboring State of Guatemala is located about 20 km ( straight line ) to the west.

Economy

In addition to artisanal small businesses of all types the cultivation and export of coffee, sugar cane and citrus fruits play a dominant role in the economic life of the city and the Municipalities. There is also a clothing and a shoe factory.

History

The former volcanic crater of about one square kilometer Laguna Cuzcachapa is already filled with water for tens of thousands of years - he was probably the main reason for the settlement of people in his environment. The ruins of the Mayan cities Casa Blanca and Tazumal close proximity to Chalchuapa; El Trapiche, mush and Las Victorias are other find spots in the vicinity, but no excavations and / or reconstruction measures have been carried out there so far.

In the wake of the conquest the entire area came under Spanish rule. As part of the struggle for independence of the Central American colonies the question of reorganization of the rule, with the model of a Central American confederation was discussed and to some extent also realized in the years 1823-1838 was created. The reigning since 1873 Guatemalan President Justo Rufino Barrios Auyón was the spokesman in the attempt to revive the Confederacy, but he was killed in a battle against the troops of the Salvadoran President Rafael Zaldívar on April 2, 1885 at Chalchuapa.

Attractions

• Chalchuapa is best known as the main location of Mayan relics in El Salvador; the ruins of Tazumal and Casa Blanca with its museums are worth a visit.
• The Apostle James the Baroque church of Santiago Apostol, dedicated to the 17th century is a jewel of colonial architecture in Central America. The church facade with statues of saints set crowning belfry met but for a long time only decorative functions, as the bells hanging on the upper floor of the - added later (?) - Lateral tower. The interior of the church has three naves with wooden pillars and a wooden ' corbelled ' above the nave; several Baroque altars and a reredos in shallow choir final round off the harmonious impression. An equestrian statue of Santiago crowned the dome of the church building. The church is classified as Monumento Nacional since 1992.

Holidays

• ( 18 to 21 July ) patronal feast in honor of Santiago
• ( August 12 to 26 ) Feast of San Roque