Museo de la Palabra y La Images

Lonely Planet review

In its brand-new location, the Museum of Word and Image is a museum of Salvadoran writing and writers, with a heavy emphasis on the revolutionary movement of the '70s and '80s. No surprise really - the museum's director is Carlos Henríquez Consalvi, aka 'Santiago,' the Venezuelan-born journalist who was the founder and main voice of Radio Venceremos during the war. (You're liable to see him around the museum most days.)

The museum has three small exhibit areas, through which it rotates compelling exhibits on themes such as writers (like Roque Dalton and Salarrué), the massacre of 1932, and women in Salvadoran history. Throughout the museum are terrific black-and-white photos from the war years - showing scenes such as student demonstrations, life in guerrilla camps, and just ordinary people - plus personal effects, like diaries and letters. Visitors can also watch a number of videos covering the history of the war, the founding of Radio Venceremos, as well as propaganda produced by the FMLN during the fighting, like the internationally known 'Carta de Morazán.' The sound quality isn't great, however. Finally, there's a replica of an underground clandestine radio studio; an extensive library of war-related books, documents and photos; and a small selection of books for sale at the entrance. Check the website or Pashalua magazine for current readings, book launches and more.