The Great Earthquakes of San Salvador in 1854 resulted in a series of violent tremors that completely leveled the city, prompting a temporary relocation of the capital. This disaster highlighted the seismic risks faced by the region and led to significant changes in urban planning and construction practices. The earthquakes also spurred discussions about disaster response and recovery efforts in the face of natural calamities.

The Great Earthquakes of San Salvador fostered early Central American romantic verse, influencing poets like José Asunción Silva to explore themes of exile and nature's volatility. The displacement of culture became a poignant subject in the region's literary expression.