San Vicente is one of the most important cities and where some of the favorite tourist attractions of nationals and foreigners are located. It is the capital of the Department of San Vicente, full of history and incredible places to visit.
Do you want to go sightseeing in El Salvador? What places can you see and visit in San Vicente? Continue reading and discover all the adventures in this magnificent town.
SAN VICENTE - Villages of El Salvador. Photo by BelenM. Wikimedia Commons.
Data from San Vicente
| Country: | El Salvador |
|---|---|
| Category: | Villages |
| Department: | San Vicente |
| Elevation: | 390 m |
| Surface: | 267,2 km² |
| Patron Saint Festivities: | December |
Location of San Vicente
What to see and visit in San Vicente
When you arrive in the city of San Vicente, the first thing you will find is its beautiful Historical Center. Streets adorned by trees and houses retain that colonial air that has been preserved over time.
Very close to this area, you can enjoy the Clock Tower built between 1928 and 1930 by the mandate of the then president, Pío Romero Bosque. This tower dazzles both day and night. With its 40 m high, it is one of the city’s most important monuments.
Similarly, in the Vincentian town is the Church of Our Lady of Pilar, which initially began as a small chapel made of adobe, lime, and sand. The first to build it was José Merino and Manuela de Arce.
With their deaths, the chapel passed to Francisco Quintanilla, who, together with his daughters, decided to build the church we know today. The temple, as such, opened its doors to the parishioners in 1769, and it is right here where the remains of Antonio José Cañas rest, to whom the Central Park was also dedicated.
Another place to visit is the Mirador de Jiboa, the exact point from which you can admire the beauty of an entire valley and the imposing San Vicente Volcano or Chinchontepec. For many, this volcano is shaped like a woman lying down and can be seen from this distance.
If you want to enjoy this colossus up close, you should know that at its feet, there are fumaroles and hot springs with remarkable health properties.
History and characteristics
According to historical data, San Vicente was founded in 1635 by a group of Spanish families banished from Apastepeque, Tepetitán, and Ixtepeque. This act occurred under a Tempisque tree located near the Acahuapa River.
During the act, the families decided to call their new colony San Vicente de Lorenzana, a name that later changed to San Vicente de Austria when receiving the title of a villa in 1658.
During the first stage of the independence process, Captain General José de Bastamente y Guerra requested the city title. It was granted on July 11, 1812.
On the other hand, with the creation of the Federal Republic of Central America, San Salvador became its capital. For this reason, in 1834, San Vicente officially became the capital of El Salvador in 1849.
Since then, the town of San Vicente has remained strong, overcoming epidemics and significant earthquakes that threatened its integrity and the lives of its inhabitants.
Patron saint festivities and gastronomy
Its patron saint festivities occur between December 13 and 31 each year to pay homage to its patron saint San Vicente de Abad y Mártir. Although the celebration lasts 20 days, the most important religious and cultural events occur between the 23rd and 25th.
In addition, it is the Fair of the Saints for the Vincentians between October 25 and November 3. As well as the feast in honor of the Lord of Esquipulas on January 15.
On the other hand, it is essential to note that during these cultural and religious events, you can taste all the gastronomy of San Vicente. Since, in a particular way, dishes typical of the region are elaborated. Some of these are:
- Totopostes.
- Tuscatas.
- Black rice.
- Stuffed bread from Vicenza.
- Torta de tuza.
- Rice salpores.
- Semita de dulce de panela.
If you want to enjoy these delicacies and many others, San Vicente celebrates the Gastronomic Festival on the last Saturday of every month..
Nearby places to visit
Finally, we could not fail to recommend nearby places you can visit with your family, friends, and other loved ones. Starting with the Apastepeque Lagoon, one of the most visited tourist places in the department.
Here you can connect with nature, fish, swim, practice water sports, and much more. Another site not to be missed is the Amapulapa Tourist Center, with five swimming pools, restaurants, and recreational areas for the whole family.
If the above has impressed you, your last stop may be at Los Infiernillos de Guadalupe. This place is known as the perfect destination for medicinal and adventure tourism.
Here you can enjoy thermal water pools and fumaroles, which offer significant health benefits. The best thing is that if you dare, you can climb to the top of the volcano and enjoy the horizon of the Jiboa Valley, the Esteros de Jaltepeque, and Jiquilisco Bay.
