Article prepared by Hector Mejia
Photographic by David Briones

Suchitoto is a city with much history and cultural richness. It is a city that has lived through many historical and social phenomena that have marked its evolution, which have enabled him to have much prominence in the history of El Salvador .

It is a city closely linked to the history of the founding of the current Salvadoran capital San Salvador . It is also a city very experienced, as was one of the scenarios of the Salvadoran civil war, during the eighties year. This armed conflict destroyed much of the town of Suchitoto and forced the migration of its inhabitants. This migration of its inhabitants made in the town of Suchitoto a city destroyed and abandoned.

Suchitoto starts revived after the signing of the peace agreements, which ended more than 12 years of civil war. Once signed peace agreements, Suchitoto began its process of recovery and reconstruction of its infrastructure and its economic activity, Thus as the return of its population. At present the town of Suchitoto has become a very attractive tourist destination due to its history and architecture. Villagers, social and political organizations are working to rescue the buildings from the colonial era.

Suchitoto is a city of origin indigenous Náhuat language whose name means "City of Flowers and Birds" According to the history of El Salvador , Suchitoto already existed at the arrival of the Spaniards. It was in the vicinity of Suchitoto where Spaniards founded for the first time the city of San Salvador , to fail in their attempt to establish its current location. Exactly the first city of San Salvador was founded at the place known as La Bermuda in the year 1525, which is located in the vicinity of Suchitoto.

One of the architectural symbols representing the town of Suchitoto is their church, which owns more than 160 years. This church was declared a National Heritage in 1978. This architectural gem witnessed the bloody battles occurred in Suchitoto between the Salvadoran army and the guerrillas. Fortunately the church suffered no damage during the armed conflict, which allowed us to continue to count on this beautiful architectural work, pride of Suchitoto and Salvadorans.

The architecture of the buildings in the town of Suchitoto preserved until today, the influence of the colonial era; why some people compare with the city of Antigua Guatemala .

In the year 1836, Suchitoto receives the title of Villa and July 15, 1858 receives the title of City. That is why this July 15, 2008, the town of Suchitoto became the capital of El Salvador for a day, as a tribute to this beautiful city that this date was celebrating 150 years of having received its title city.