La Laguna de Alegria. is a hidden gem among greenery and mountains, hidden behind the mystery of his legend and charm of its existence. Located in the crater of the volcano Tecapa, Usulutan, 3 kilometers from the city of Joy, is this treasure that wants to be discovered. The setting is displayed on a large rocky crater and oval, at the bottom there is a small lake with yellow-green waters that lay on beds of sulfur. "The Emerald of America" as he called Gabriela Mistral many years ago when the lake was still full.
The Laguna de Alegría is one of the most visited websites in Usulutan, not only for its beauty but for the mystery that exists on its sulphurous waters, which many consider medicinal. It was formerly known as "Tecapa" as the same volcano, but since recently was named as "Laguna de Alegría", being near the city.
The lake is the center of the hill and is surrounded by greenery and wildlife. The most curious plant that grows in the place is the orchid that blooms in February and March. Among the birds are seen toucans, sparrows and other species that arrive throughout the year, there is one that is completely blue and fascinates the residents, which they call "The tile"
Tecapa is said that the activity is a crater, so that, as in other volcanoes in this situation in our country, vents lance has microtremors and other signs of life.
According to locals there is a legend about the Laguna de Alegría, which tells of a mystical mermaid who lives in the depths of the waters, who likes handsome men and youth. If anyone bathing in the lagoon and the mermaid falls in love with them, taking them to the bottom catches. After a few days, the release and return to the surface without life.
According to the beliefs of the locals, the Tecapa volcano last erupted in the twelfth century AD, at that time the town that gave birth to what was Tecapa and today is Joy, called "Gueymitique" (where winds whistle), was a Lenca people and was invaded by the tribe of the Tecolucas-nonualcos (in what is now the paracentral area of the country), in a war of conquest. Near what is now the San Juan Canton, lived a beautiful girl with her parents and siblings. His name Xiri (Star), along with the invaders came a sorcerer, who fell in love at first sight of Xiri, but it did not correspond to the intentions of the witch. A few days later the parents and siblings of the young died fighting the invaders, as the volcano showed his anger in a rash that did not stop the witch pretended to read the future in the entrails of a dog, so he said, was necessary human sacrifice (a maiden) to calm the volcano force increasingly threatening to destroy the population, so it was chosen to be Xiri thrown into the river of molten lava and achieve so was the fury of the volcano decreasing. Everything was ready for the sacrifice of the maiden, who had a pet bird guardabarranco, who when her love was to be sacrificed, began singing in a special way, so convincing, that the volcano began to fade and leave releasing lava, rocks and smoke and began to mourn, so copious that those tears led to what is now known as Laguna de Alegría. And hence, the legend of the siren, which according to several people disappeared youth who dared swim in the sulphurous waters of the lagoon. |