The Joya de Cerén Archaeological Park is an icon of pre-Hispanic culture that describes to visitors what the daily life of the Mayans was like. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1993 and is also called The Pompeii of America, being compared to the archaeological site of Italy, therefore it is a must-see destination in El Salvador.
It is characterized by being the only village in El Salvador with evidence of the daily life of the Mesoamerican inhabitants more than 1,500 years ago. It displays an excellent state of preservation of ancient botany and fauna.
According to the Ministry of Culture, the village was buried by the eruption of the Loma Caldera volcano around 650 AD. As a result of this natural event, the structures and archaeological relics remain intact and in good condition. The tour of this place full of history is an experience that you will not regret.
A curious fact is that the new town of Joya de Cerén, located less than 1 kilometer away from the discovered structures, is made up mostly of peasants who use techniques similar to those of the old settlers, and who offer you their products and clay crafts.
For more information, you can contact the Ministry of Culture. Please, send an email to the following address [email protected] or call at +503 2501-4400
