Archbishop Oscar Romero, Voice of the Voiceless

1977, Oscar Arnulfo Romero is named San Salvador Archbishop, the highest rank and head of the Salvadoran Catholic Church. This position gave him the voice to denounce abuses from different sides, calling the world's attention for his courage and struggle in favor of the poor and the repressed. This made him the target of attacks from conservative sectors until his death in 1980 in La Divina Providencia Hospital chapel, shot by a sniper.

Just days after his murder, on the steps of Metropolitan Cathedral tens of attendants to Romero's funeral died when the crowd began to be attack by armed squads. Since then the body of Romero lays within the main catholic church of El Salvador. His tomb had became a pilgrims destination where also Leaders of the Free World and Heavy Metal icons had stopped to pay respect to Saint Romero's legacy.

La Divina Providencia is a little hospital private-run by nuns. It was here where Romero decided to live in a humble flat, close to those he loved: the poor... the needed... the suffering. Was also in the chapel where he was shot right after the Sacrament. You will visit his chambers and see how this great man lived, his personal belongings and relics as the clothes he was wearing the moment of his martyrdom.

Continue to Museo de la Palabra y la Imagen, a private project that cares the largest collection of priceless pictures and recordings of the history of El Salvador, including a personal collection of slides and photos Romero took during his last years.

The moving Monumento a la Memoria y la Verdad pays homage to thousands of victims of human rights violations during Civil War. Little later arrive to Básilica del Ságrado Corazón where Romero addressed his unforgettable speech “...Stop repression!”. Not far from here we is the heart of Downtown: Plaza Barrios (Main Square), where his funerals ended in the dead of attendants. Just across the street raises Metropolitan Cathedral, silent witness of many historical events. In its crypt, the resting place of a Saint: Romero's tomb.

From Cathedral we walk towards Plaza Libertad -the oldest public square in town- and visit the enigmatic El Rosario church, with its singular artwork and also historical spot and National Monument.

From downtown we head to UCA, a private university, to visit Centro Cultural Mons. Romero, dedicated to the memory of the Archbishop but also many other members of christian churches victims of human rights violations, including 6 jesuit priests killed here in 1989 by the Salvadoran Army.

End the day having a light meal: plato típico con frijolitos, the favorite dish of Romero in the house of a close friend of his: Mrs. Chacón, and hear personal stories of Romero's life.