the population of remedios was torn between the option of leaving their city, constantly besieged by pirate attacks, or staying in place. while most finally decided to stay, these 37 persons traveled south to the interior. on june 1, 1689 they arrived at the hill where they joined the other two existing families. according to tradition, a mass was given under a tamarind tree and the city was founded. since then, the place under the tree is known as "loma del carmen" (carmen's hill). a second-generation church was built in a park along the plaza. a monument commemorating the event is surrounded by a fourth-generation tamarind tree.