Somasca El Calvario Church, San Salvador

The roots of Somasca El Calvario Church trace back to 1660, when Bishop Fray Payo Rivera authorized the construction of a chapel honoring the Lord of Calvary, originally located at what was then the edge of San Salvador. Over the centuries, the site endured multiple setbacks-from a powerful earthquake in 1854 to a destructive fire in 1908-yet each time, the community rebuilt, determined to preserve its spiritual legacy.

The present structure, designed by Italian architect Augusto Baratta, was built between 1925 and 1950 in a refined neo-Gothic style. It was built from reinforced concrete and featuring pointed arches, ornamental buttresses, and a layout spanning approximately 64 meters by 52 meters. Visitors inside the church will be captivated by colorful stained-glass windows, while intricately carved sculptures of the Stations of the Cross, crafted from Carrara marble, line the walls.

The church remains an active spiritual anchor in San Salvador’s Historic Center, serving as a focal point during Holy Week processions, especially the Way of the Cross on Good Friday-a central ritual for thousands of participating faithful.