Gateway El Salvador
Church wall honoring the children
The site of the "El Mozote Massacre" is located just east past the small village of Arambala. Over the course of three days in December 1981, approximately 1,000 men, women, and children were murdered. In 1992, the bodies were recovered revealing that about 130 were children under the age of 12. It is a sobering stopping point, but marks an important period in El Salvador's political history. A monument has been erected in remembrance of those who perished. There are several books available that give a detailed account of the massacre available at Amazon.com ( see below). The town of Perquin has a good museum that clearly illustrates the 12 year civil war.
Next to the memorial wall is the local church that has been transformed into an outdoor memorial honoring the children of El Mozote. Known as "The Walls of Hope", artists and local students worked together to create a mural and mosaic wall. It is a moving and beautiful collaboration. Local guides are available to show you around. There are no real facilities here, so remember to bring some water and snacks. Getting to Mozote is an arduous drive across rough roads that require a 4 x 4, but if you have the time, it is certainly worth a visit.
For more information and dozens of photographs on "Walls of Hope", visit:
The Mozote Memorial WallFrom "Life" magazine Dec. 10, 2000
Local guide
Conchita Marraquin
From church mural
Student artists painting church
Memorial ceremony
Names and ages
Arambala/El Mozote
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El Mozote
"Walls of Hope"
