Monument to the Divine Savior of the World, San Salvador

The Monument to the Divine Savior of the World is one of city’s most recognized symbols. It features a statue of Jesus Christ standing atop a globe, all resting on a tall, four-sided concrete pedestal. Originally, the pedestal adorned the tomb of President Manuel Enrique Araujo, donated by his family.

On November 26, 1942, coinciding with the first National Eucharistic Congress in San Salvador, the statue of Christ was placed atop it and unveiled at the plaza. In the devastating 1986 earthquake, the statue suffered extensive damage when it toppled-but was faithfully restored within months through the national campaign "Let's lift the Salvadoran soul".

In 2010, the plaza-formerly known as The Americas Square-underwent a complete transformation. Renamed Savior of the World Plaza, it was updated with new sidewalks, seating tiers, flag areas, and repainted the 18-meter-high statue of Christ to renew its vibrancy. The renovation was carried out by Grupo Roble and supported by local heritage authorities.

Today, it is commonly the starting point for August’s traditional festivities-such as the Parade of the Mail and Commerce Parade-celebrating the city’s patron, the Divine Savior of the World. The monument also appears on the reverse of the 200 colón banknote and on Salvadoran license plates, reflecting its deep cultural resonance.