The capital's historical center - known, prosaically enough, as El Centro - got a facelift not long ago and is filled with interesting architecture, much of it dating from the early to mid-20th century. A good example is the Palacio Nacional, finished in 1911 in Neoclassical style with some Renaissance and Gothic-Revival elements; once home to all three branches of the national government, these days it's open to visitors as well as housing salons for ceremonies and special events. A couple of blocks away on Plaza Morazán, Central America's oldest theater, the Teatro Nacional, is a small (seating just 650) but handsome neo-Renaissance gem dating from 1917 (you can have a peek inside or even take a guided tour for a nominal fee, albeit in Spanish).

Read more in my post Save Some Time for El Salvador's Appealing Capital, San Salvador.

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