Until 2005, the marking "1932" on the back of this grotto was the only thing that associated it officially with the assassinations there in 1932.
The uprisings were a forbidden topic until recent years, and were not taught about in history classes. Only in 2005 was a plaque placed there to acknowledge the events. Cofradias have played an important role in the Salvadoran history.
Cofradias have played an important role in the Salvadoran history. In 1932, the cofradias of Izalco led an indigenous peasant uprising. This grotto marked the graves of thousands of peasants killed by the army to quell the uprising.
The grotto inside the ruins of the original Nuestra Señora de la Asunción church in Izalco, El Salvador marks the graves of thousands of peasants killed by the army in reprisal for the indigenous peasant uprising in 1932. Bodies were buried there in shallow graves, marked only by a white Marian grotto. For decades, discussion of the uprising and its violent end were forbidden in El Salvador, and not discussed in school. Only in recent years has there been plaque placed that acknowledges the event.
Created: June 24, 2013 - 1:38pm
Updated: March 4, 2020 - 3:26pm
Updated: March 4, 2020 - 3:26pm