According to Pipil texts Antiguo Cuscatlán was founded as Cuzcatlan (meaning "place of jewels" in Nahuatl) in 1054 by Topiltzin Atzil, the last king of Tula of Anahuac.

The place was less relevant thereafter, as the town was caught in the dynamics of the rest of the country, which exploited its resources ending the colony.

After the independence of Central America, San Salvador surpassed Antiguo Cuscatlan in importance, relegating it to a mere local capital.

In the present day, Antiguo Cuscatlan has gained an important edge, hosting major institutions, plazas, corporative headquarters and the biggest U.S Embassy of the region.

Among these companies are: Confectionery (Central Dulcera), Plastic Industry (Salvaplastic), Maquila (Industry Merlet), made of flour for human consumption (Harissa), Concentrated Animal (ALIANSA), among many others, the last two (Harissa and ALIANSA) founded by the German landowner and businessman Walter Thilo Deinninger.

In order to maintain the city, ecology safe the southern Side of the Industrial Zone is bordered by, Plan de La Laguna Botanical Garden.

Despite having low crime rates, there has been a slight rise in attacks on homes and, which has led to the privatization of many roads and areas, by closing an entrance to a neighborhood with a gate, and security to allow one to go in.

Over time, with changes in settlement patterns and the inevitable urbanization of the place, the Deininger family supported the idea of protecting and preserving the wooded area now known as the La Laguna Botanical Garden.

Staff maintain constant exchanges with other foreign and different herbal specialists who collaborate in the identification of samples collected in El Salvador[citation needed].

The main river is the Chavez or Peche, rising to 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of the town of Antiguo Cuscatlan, the confluence of two small unnamed streams.

The Cerro La Montaña is located 4.1 kilometers southwest of the town of Antiguo Cuscatlan, and has an elevation of 1005 meters above sea level.

El Rosario is located 1.4 miles (2.3 km) south from the city of Antiguo Cuscatlan, and has an elevation of 1025 meters above sea level.

The Horse is located 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of the town of Antiguo Cuscatlan, and has an elevation of 1032/3385 ft meters above sea level.

Due to the high altitude (3385 ft) Antiguo Cuscatlan has a cool climate compared to the rest of the AMSS.

The festivities of the municipality are celebrated in honor of the "Holy Innocents Children" on 28 December at the Parish Church at the Center for Antiguo Cuscatlan.

This festival dates from the 16th century, during the colonial era and was celebrated with great pomp by a brotherhood composed of captains, stewards and tenacious[citation needed].