"Tomb of Oscar A Romero" Top 5 Page for this destination San Salvador Things to Do Tip by MalenaN

In the crypt under the cathedral is the tomb of Archbishop Oscar A Romero. His grave has got a bronze sarcophagus and in the wall behind are graves of other archbishops. This place is often visited by pilgrims and it was also visit by Pope John Paul II on his visit to El Salvador.

When Oscar A Romero became archbishop in 1977 he was known to be quite conservative, but that soon changed. One of his close friends, a Jesuit priest, was killed by the military death squads and it also became more violent in the country. Romero started to criticise government repression. His sermons were broadcast in radio and he talked about justice and human rights.

Romero was assassinated in 1980 while he held a mass in the chapel of Hospital La Divina Providencia. To his funeral more than 250 000 mourners came. During the funeral fire was opened and several people were killed.

Directions: En El Centro, entrance from 2a Av Norte.