Ilobasco Handcrafts
Ilobasco is a colorful town that is situated 54 kilometers from San Salvador, it is located at the province of Cabañas.
In addition, this site is the most important pottery and ceramic center in El Salvador thanks to creation of striking and unique crafts created with ancient techniques.
The handcrafts legacy
It is said that the pottery techniques originated in pre-Hispanic times. Then these techniques were refined in the colonial era.
Ceramic development was further developed at Ilobasco thanks to the innovation of María Dominga Herrera, who was born in 1911, and who took the initiative to create miniature figurines during her teenage years. She created small figures relating to nativity characters for the holiday season and this gradually led to the popularly known “surprises” that are very popular now and that deal with many characters and themes.
Herrera was recognized with awards from government institutions and editorials like the magazine “National Geographic” who published some of her work in the year of 1944. Other artisans who accompanied her artistic legacy included Clementine Rosales, Julio Cesar Lopez, Florentino Herrera and Francisco Herrera, very well known miniaturists.
To learn more about this aspect of Salvadoran art you may visit the Folk Art Museum in San Salvador, which exhibits a large collection of the best clay creations made at this town of Cabañas.
Where to buy
Along the streets of Ilobasco you will find many shops that display very colorful creations with materials like clay, bamboo, stone, seeds and more.
All ceramic items sold at Ilobasco are original creations made with local talent learned from generation to generation.
At the main street entrance in Ilobasco, you can visit the following craft shops:
- Poster San Pedro
You will find a wide range of miniature surprises from US$ 0.50. key chains, typical nativity scenes, home accessories, turkey feather paintings, purses, bracelets and other souvenirs with prices reaching US$ 50.00.
Only cash payments.
Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- ArfaBambú
You can buy beautiful pots created with black mud from Guatajiagua, Morazan. Prices start at US$ 1.00 to US$ 40.00. There area also other figures made with plaster prices reaching US$ 6.00. Also there are other ceramic creations with specialized techniques, jewelry, toys made with squash shells and much more.
Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- The Bolados
Here you will find colorful creations made from clay, wood and other materials with refined techniques. Here you will find products made with tin, cloth and squash shells. There are also religious imagery and animals made miniature scale.
Contact: Ibis Parker (503) 2384-2584
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php? 100002467617391
How to get there
If driving from San Salvador drive along the Pan-American Highway towards Cojutepeque. You may start the journey from the Constitution Boulevard or go through San Salvador using Boulevard del Ejercito. Continue from the San Martin and Suchitoto overpass. . A few kilometers from there you will see the diversion to the town of San Rafael Cedros, continue from here to Ilobasco.
Bus routes from downtown San Salvador to Ilobasco: Route 111 for US$ 0.90.
More
Museum of Folk Art: http://www.elsalvador.travel/museo-de-arte-popular/
Info
Ilobasco Municipal Hall: (503) 2332-2451 / (503) 2362-6700
Address: 2a. North Ave and 1st East Street. Barrio El Centro, opposite to the Central Park Henry Hoyos.
Satellite location
Height 3109 feet
N 13 ° 50,331 ‘
In 88 ° 51,098 ‘
NOTICE
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