Cayaguanca Theatre
Built between 1950 and 1956, the former movie teather “Cayaguanca” is a tourist icon at downtown Chalatenango.
The name comes from the Nahuatl meaning ” stone that looks into the stars” and inspired by the iconic Rock of Cayaguanca, located at the municipality of San Ignacio.
Initially it was used as a cinema but over the years, operations closed due to the armed conflict that where particularly intensive in northern El Salvador. The building was abandoned.
Thanks to the initiative of Coroner Pedro Tito Majando, from the Military Detachment No. 1 at Chalatenango, the building was rescued in 2001. It involved cleaning and restoration with the intent of turning it into a theater for the Chalatenango community.
In 2003, the old cinema was given to CONCULTURA, now Ministry of Culture (SECULTURA), which runs it in coordination with the House of Culture of the area.
Since then, many items have been replaced like the stage infrastructure, electrical wiring, decorations and chairs that were donated by the Teatro Presidente in San Salvador. They now accommodate 500 spectators.
The theater reopened in October 2010 in order to develop arts and cultural. When you visit Cayaguanca Theatre you will appreciate a small exhibition including old movie projectors that were used in the early 50′s.
Chalateco Gum
Do not be leave Chalatenango without trying the candy known as “El Chicle Chalateco” made with pepitoria (local seed) and peanuts.
Many stories are known locally regarding this snack and the Cayaguanca Theater. People who could not afford others snacks would buy a small bag of this gum, and that was abundant for all the presentation. Today it is very rare to find it, but people like Ana Margarita Diaz, has sold it near the theater for over 30 years at just US$ 0.15 for a small portion.
How to get there
From San Salvador drive north along “Troncal del Norte Road” Road (4N) towards Apopa and Aguilares.
At the diversion known as “Amayo” turn right to Chalatenango City. A regular car would be ok since the road is in good condition.
Address: At the end of Morazán St. and Libertad Avenue, Chalatenango.
By Bus:
Route 125: taken at eastern terminal (Terminal de Oriente) from San Salvador to Chalatenango. Ticket cost from US$ 1.00 to US$ 1.75.
More
- Hours:
Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- FREE entry
- Phone: (503) 2301-1700
- Contact: Virna Ghicel Salguero
- Email: sghicel@yahoo.com.mx
- Website: http://www.cultura.gob.sv/temas/teatros/teatro-cayaguanca.html
Info
- From cinema to theater http://www.enchalate.com/2010/10/cayaguanca-de-cine-teatro.html
- House of Culture of Chalatenango: (503) 2335-2123
Address: Miguel Plácido Peña St. # 1, Barrio Las Flores, Chalatenango.
Satellite Location
Altitude 1366 feet
N 14 ° 02,501 ‘
W 88 ° 56,288 ‘
AVISO
La información presentada en esta Ficha de Promoción de Servicios y Destinos Turísticos de El Salvador es una guía de referencia. Los precios, tarifas, promociones o detalles como el número de personas, horarios de atención, horarios de entrada o salida, tiempos de comida, ingredientes de platillos, duración de tours, sitios incluidos en tour etc. así como números de teléfono, sitios web o direcciones de correo electrónico y físicas, y otros datos pueden variar sin previo aviso de los hoteles, restaurantes, tour operadores, hostales y otros negocios de la industria turística contenidas en este catálogo digital. El Ministerio de Turismo y la Coorporación Salvadoreña de Turismo, así como su agencia de publicidad y cualquier otra empresa o persona natural subcontratada para el levantamiento y recolección de esta información no tiene responsabilidad por ninguna variación en los datos. Se sugiere siempre hacer las consultas respectivas para verificar.
