If you are headed to Nahuizalco within the next 5–10 days you are just in time to celebrate the patron saint festival in honor of San Juan Bautista, as well as the annual arts and crafts festival. The 5 day fesitval is held annually from June 20–25.

San Juan Bautista is the namesake for the Nahuizalco Chapel which was built in 1859. It is an interesting archaeological site, which is home to several graves. (In colonial times, before cemetaries, they buried people in the church!) Several tombs have already been discovered, and many people hold to the belief that another temple or grave might exist underneath the floor.

During the festival the whole town lights up! Local furniture, arts and crafts are for sale on every corner, along with a plate of cooked yucca. (Something I swear you will miss when you leave El Salvador.)

In addition to the selling of crafts there are also some special performances, including folkloric dances performed by historians that portray the Spanish royalty and tell the story of the Moorish invasion of Spanish.