It was founded on May, 1994 as an oasis of culture that protects valuable elements that make up of the identity of San Miguel.

It is located on an old building built in 1935 that used to be the administrative offices of a textile factory. Over the years the building was administered by the Infantry Battalion General Manuel José Arce (ONE OF Arce) near the end of armed conflict that took place in El Salvador in the 1980’s.

After that this building became the Center for Government offices in eastern El Salvador.

The infrastructure was severely damaged during the earthquakes in 2001 and renovation work had to be done. On November, 2007 doors were opened to the public again. Now the building showing new exhibits and artistic displays directed at students and the general public.

 

Exhibits

The Eastern Regional Museum has five exhibition halls where you may appreciate objects corresponding to different cultural aspects of El Salvador. Focusing on the East.

You can see 42 archaeological pieces found at the pre-Columbian site of Quelepa, department of San Miguel, which corresponds to the pre-classical and classical era of the Lenca Mesoamerican civilization.

The most prominent piece is a stunning black color obsidian cone that was used to make arrowheads, knives and other tools. It should be noted that the area where the archaeological finds took place, has not been fully excavated. 40 structures have been found spread over an area of one square kilometer.

Another peculiar exhibit is an antiques display of bottles manufactured in San Miguel and known as “marbles” which were distributed by the Charlaix Company. You may see various bottles of local and foreign sodas like Spur Cola, Arch-Cola, Grapette and others.

It has an interesting ethnographic exhibition entitled “Henequen: Magnificent and Noble Fiber ” that seeks to revitalize the tradition of this product which was extremely important for eastern El Salvador since pre-Hispanic times.

You will find information regarding the benefits of the plant, a sample of products made with henequen that nowadays due to industrialization are made with nylon or other synthetic materials. Another reason for the decline of henequen was the migration of farmers to the cities due to the armed conflict.

The museum has a colorful exhibit called “Garments of Our Lady of Peace” which deals with the Catholic tradition of this image very symbolic for the city of San Miguel.

Here you may see many decorated costumes that where designed to dress up the image, during the yearly festivals. You will also see gifts and presents that believers give to the virgin in exchange for favors.

 

How to get there

Address: 8th South Avenue and 15 East Street # “B” within the Departmental Government Center at San Miguel (Ex Arce Battalion).

By car you can drive along the Pan American Highway until the diversion to Santa Rosa de Lima, The Union. At this point you must keep to the right on the highway DUA and continue to the Departmental Government Center. Coming from the Coastal higway take as a reference point Plaza Romero and continue along the old road to La Union.

 

Bus routes:

SAN MIGUEL: San Miguel Urban Buses: Route 94 The Presita to Cologne. Leave the bus at Dr. Antonio Rosales Park. Another option is route 304 that leaves you in front of Governmental Center. Coming from Usulután can may take routes 373 and 377 that will also leave you at the main entrance of these governmental offices.

By car from San Salvador

If driving from San Salvador to San Miguel use the Pan American Highway (CA-1) or the coastal highway going east.

 

Bus routes:

• San Salvador to San Miguel: Route 301 from the East Terminal.

Regular US$ 2.50

Special US$ 3.00

Super special US$ 5.00

To get to the East Terminal take Route 42-A, 34, 140, 29 for US$ 0.25

 

• The Union to San Miguel: Route 324

Regular US$ 0.75

Special US$ 1.00

 

More

- Hours of Operation:

Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:20 m and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

- Rates:

Salvadoran and Central American: US$ 1.00

Foreign visitors: US$ 3.00

Children under 8 years and elderly FREE

Schools at primary and secondary level: FREE on Wednesdays

Use of cameras: US$ 5.71

Using of the facilities: $ 15.00 USD per day

- Contacts: (503) 2660-1275

- Email: museo_oriente@yahoo.es

- Website: http://www.cultura.gob.sv/temas/museos/museo-regional-de-oriente.html

- Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/MUSEO-REGIONAL-DE-ORIENTE-SAN-MIGUEL-EL-SALVADOR/268372883206787

Information:

http://www.bicentenario.gob.sv/el-salvador-2011/patrimionio-cultural/inmuebles/san-miguel/291-museo-regional-de-oriente

 

Satellite location

Height 399 feet

N 13 ° 28,429 ‘

In 88 ° 10,264 ‘

Photogallery

NOTICE