Grave of William Walker

Final resting place of the American filibuster who tried to conquer Central America

In the old town cemetery, the Cementerio Viejo of Trujillo, a fenced-off rectangular plot holds a stone cross marking the grave of William Walker — the American filibuster who attempted to install himself as ruler of large parts of Central America in the 1850s and was finally executed in Trujillo in 1860. The grave is well kept (the Honduran state has long taken a low-key pride in being the country that finally stopped him) and a small plaque records his execution.

The cemetery itself is small and atmospheric — a walled enclosure full of broken stone crosses and the tombs of 19th-century traders, set on a slope above the bay. Open during daylight hours; respectful behaviour expected.

things to do sight
A story
Walker was a 19th-century American mercenary who briefly seized control of Nicaragua in 1856 and declared himself president, with English as the national language and slavery reinstated. He was driven out within a year, returned to Central America twice more, and was finally captured in 1860 by the British Royal Navy and handed to the Honduran government, which executed him by firing squad at Trujillo on 12 September 1860.