Plaza Gerardo Barrios

Plaza Gerardo Barrios is a public square in downtown San Salvador featuring a bronze equestrian statue of former president Gerardo Barrios as its main focal point. The Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace frame the space, creating a hub for civic and religious life in the city center.

The square became the site of Archbishop Oscar Romero's funeral in 1980 and later served as a symbolic location marking the end of El Salvador's civil war in February 1992. These pivotal moments established this place as a memorial to the nation's recent past.

Religious ceremonies and processions regularly take place here, especially during August's traditional 'la bajada' celebration honoring San Salvador's patron saint. Local residents and visitors alike gather to participate in these communal spiritual observances throughout the year.

The plaza is freely accessible to visitors at any time and requires no admission fee. Morning hours tend to offer the best lighting for photographs and the fewest crowds, making it an ideal time to observe the details of the monument and surrounding buildings.

The monument was created in 1909 by Italian sculptor Francesco Durini and features intricate relief panels depicting battle scenes from Salvadoran history carved into its base. These detailed bas-relief scenes that decorate the pedestal are often overlooked by visitors despite their artistic and historical significance.