Divino Salvador del Mundo Monument

The Monumento al Divino Salvador del Mundo stands on a traffic plaza where the city's main boulevards meet, a figure of Christ on top of a globe raised on a tall pedestal, put up in 1942 and rebuilt after earthquake damage. It refers to the country's name and to its patron, and it functions as the national symbol, appearing on currency, stamps and news backdrops, and as the place the city gathers: the August fiestas patronales culminate here, and political and religious demonstrations use the plaza. It is a landmark to see rather than a site to spend time at, best photographed from the plaza edge with the traffic circling.

The main sights

• The figure and globe - the Christ on the world atop the pedestal.
• The plaza - the junction of the city's main boulevards.
• Gatherings - the demonstrations and processions the site attracts.
• The August fiestas - the patronal celebrations centred here.

When to go

November to April for the weather. The first week of August brings the fiestas agostinas, when the plaza is at its busiest and the procession arrives. Otherwise it is a brief stop at any time.

Before you go

The monument is on a busy traffic island and crossing to it takes care. There is nothing to do beyond looking at it. Demonstrations occasionally close the plaza. It takes fifteen minutes.

Nearby

The San Benito museums lie west; the historic centre is east.