Ciudad Vieja

Ciudad Vieja is an archaeological site near Suchitoto containing the remains of a 16th-century Spanish settlement in central El Salvador. Excavations have uncovered stone foundations, walls, and building fragments that reveal how the original houses and public structures were arranged.

Spanish conquistadors founded this settlement in 1525 as the first San Salvador, but abandoned it by 1528 due to resistance from indigenous groups. The quick collapse of this early colony shows how difficult it was for Spanish forces to establish control in the region.

The site shows how Spanish settlers and indigenous people coexisted during the early colonial period, evident in the structures and artifacts scattered across the ground.

The best time to visit is during drier months when paths through the site are easier to walk. Information panels at different areas help explain the layout and different functions of the original settlement.

The site preserves the original urban plan of a 16th-century Spanish colony, with distinct residential neighborhoods and administrative buildings still visible. This layout reveals how Spain attempted to impose European city design patterns in the Americas.