When traveling to El Salvador, visit Panchimalco, in the south of the country and just 18 kilometers from the municipality of San Salvador, the capital of the Central American country.
It is a colonial city with great ecological wealth, where its inhabitants have been tasked with rescuing and maintaining their ancient traditions.
PANCHIMALCO - Villages of El Salvador. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.
Panchimalco Data
| Country: | El Salvador |
|---|---|
| Department: | San Salvador |
| Topic | Villages |
| Elevation | 570 m |
| Population: | 41.260 |
| Festivities: | 1st-15th September. In Honor of Holy Cross of Rome |
Location of Panchimalco
History and Characteristics of Panchimalco
Panchimalco, in the Nahuatl language, means “place of shields and flags” and is located in a valley with numerous irregularities in its soil due to geological faults.
History tells that its first inhabitants were the “Toltecs,” who came to these pre-Columbian lands looking for new places to settle.
By 1500 it became part of the Spanish Royal Crown, and in 1879 it was granted the title of a villa.
It is inhabited by more than 40,000 residents, who are affectionately called “Pancho” or “Panchita,” although its real name is panchimalqueme.
It is surrounded by forests full of pine, cedar, laurel, and fruit trees, and its economy is based on small crops, livestock, and poultry.
In addition, there are factories where tiles and bricks are made, and others for handicrafts, an industry that has recently been boosted to promote tourism in the Salvadoran town.
What to see and visit in Panchimalco
As we approach the village, we will see various pieces of sculpture made of stone and large along the road. Thus we perceive elephants, gorillas, horses, crocodiles, and turtles, which give the best and most surprising welcome to tourists.
As we enter this charming place, we continue detailing the houses, some of them of bahareque and tile roofs with the typical portals. We continue until we reach the Church of the Santa Cruz de Roma, a large, impeccably white temple built in the purest colonial style more than 200 years ago.
The façade is simple but beautiful, and its interior houses pieces, images, and oil paintings of great artistic value. The High Altar is richly decorated.
The place of prayer has been declared the Cultural Patrimony of the municipality.
We continue touring the town of Panchimalco and discover the Casa Taller Encuentros, an excellent initiative of the Panchimalqueme Miguel Angel Ramirez. In this space, those interested in painting can begin, but we can also see exciting exhibitions of recognized artists and those of the new generations.
Across the street is the Casa de la Cultura, which works to rescue and disseminate the customs and traditions of the area. Typical Salvadoran costumes are exhibited, as well as a collection of photographs and paintings, for our delight. We can also visit the Sculpture Park La Puerta del Sol right in front of the church.
They also promote dance and music workshops and mainly teach how to work with the backstrap loom.
If we want to cool off, we go to the Water Park and dip in one of its many pools, fed by the waters of the rivers that cross through the town.
Panchimalco’s Patron Saint Festivities and Gastronomy
The city is characterized by its great religious devotion, so they take to the streets in the Patron Saint Festivities, honoring the Holy Cross of Rome. They begin on August 31 and end on September 15, days in which various activities take place.
On the first Sunday of May, in honor of the Virgin Mary, the most colorful festivity, known as the Procession of the Palms, welcomes the rainy season. Traditional dance groups perform, and the women wear the typical multicolored dresses.
The most authentic gastronomy of Panchimalco is found in the cafes and restaurants of the town, where the queen food is the pupusa, that kind of tortilla with various fillings. Another dish is the roasted corn atol, and the sweet shop offers rich coconut or tamarind preserves.
Nearby places to visit
A few kilometers from Panchimalco, we make a great route to enjoy nature in its purest form in the three eco-parks in the Planes de Renderos.
Starting with Balboa Park, where we can ride bicycles or walk through its spaces with abundant vegetation, it also has soccer fields and places for the family’s youngest members.
We continue to the Parque de la Familia (Family Park), with facilities for soccer and basketball, and even the most daring can use the motocross track. In short, you can spend a day with the family breathing fresh air.
We have panoramic views of the Puerta del Diablo, the highest point in the Planes de Renderos. It is a rock formation loaded with many stories and legends; however, it is a stunning mountain to visit.
From its heights, we will see the Salvadoran capital, Ilopango Lake, and even the Pacific Ocean; we can also go zip-lining or rappelling.
One of the most authentic towns in El Salvador is undoubtedly Panchimalco. It offers us the possibility of living the ancestral customs in the middle of a historical and pleasant environment. Your ideal destination if you are looking for peace, relaxation, and contact with culture and nature.
