Alegría

Before being called Alegría, the town was known as Tecapa, an indigenous name that is also retained by the nearby volcano. The settlement is documented from the colonial era. In the 19th century, the priest and educator José Miguel Alegría established a school there and was recognized for his teaching efforts. During the same period, the growth of coffee cultivation transformed the mountain lands and strengthened the local economy. Tecapa was granted city status in 1879 and, in 1891, adopted the name Alegría in honor of the educator. It was also the birthplace of the writer Alberto Masferrer, a prominent figure in Salvadoran social thought. Over time, coffee was joined by ornamental plant nurseries and services for visitors. The traditional center, gardens, and nearby coffee plantations help to understand this evolution from an agricultural community to a mountain tourist destination.