Chalchuapa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chalchuapa
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 Chalchuapa
Location in El Salvador
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| Country |  El Salvador |
| Department | Santa Ana Department |
| Population
(2005)
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| • Total | 72,728 |
Chalchuapa is a town and a municipality in El Salvador. It is located in the Santa Ana department. The town sits in a wide valley. It is about 650 meters (2,130 feet) above sea level. The Pampe River flows through this area.
Contents
Exploring Chalchuapa
Chalchuapa is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) west of Santa Ana city. It is found in the Cuscachapa valley.
You can find the 'El Trapiche' pool near the city. It has clear, fresh water. The Mayan site of Casa Blanca is also here. It has a special rock. This rock marks where General Justo Rufino Barrios died. He was a leader from Guatemala. He died during a big battle on April 2, 1885.
Chalchuapa also has an old church. It is built in a beautiful colonial style. This church is dedicated to Santiago Apostol. He is the patron saint of the city. A statue of him on horseback is on top of the church dome.
Ancient History of Chalchuapa
The name Chalchuapa comes from Nahuatl. It means 'Río de Jadeitas' or 'Jade River'. This area was once a very important place for the Pok'omames people. They were part of the Mayan family.
Chalchuapa has some of the most important archaeological sites in El Salvador. There are five main ceremonial centers here. These are Tazumal, Pampe, Trapiche, Casa Blanca, and Las Victorias. The Cuzcachapa Lagoon is also a significant ancient site. These old ruins are spread out over an area of 6 square kilometers (about 2.3 square miles).
Tazumal Ruins
The ruins of Tazumal include a large pyramid. It is about 23 meters (75 feet) tall. Some parts of the pyramid are still buried underground. The main structure has two smaller pyramids on its west side. It also has eight carved pillars.
To the north, there are other ancient buildings. There is also a special dance ground with stairs. The 'Ball Game' field was once located where the current cemetery is. Most of it is now destroyed.
On the west side of the main pyramid, called Ku or Teocali, there is a large stone carving. It is called "Estela de Tazumal." This stone is 2.65 meters (8.7 feet) tall and 1.16 meters (3.8 feet) wide. It shows a person wearing many decorations. The side of the stone has ancient writings. These writings might tell about dates. They are different from the usual Mayan writings.
The Battle of Chalchuapa
An important battle happened in Chalchuapa on April 2, 1885. This event is known as the Battle of Chalchuapa. During this battle, the President of Guatemala, Justo Rufino Barrios, died.
See also
In Spanish: Chalchuapa para niños
