Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(ruins admission Q3; ruins 9am-5pm)
Antigua's cathedral was begun in 1545, wrecked by the
quake of 1773, and only partially rebuilt over the next century. The present sliver of a
church - the parish of San José - occupies only the entrance hall of the original edifice.
Behind this structure are the roofless
ruins
of the main part of the cathedral, which is
entered from 5a Calle Oriente.
It's a haunting place, with massive chunks of pillars strewn beneath sweeping brick
archways and vegetation sprouting from wall cracks. Reproductions of the intricate
plasterwork figures and moldings between the arches seem all that more impressive
against the ruined backdrop. Behind the main altar, steps lead down to a former crypt now
serving as a chapel, with a smoke-blackened Christ.
Palacio del Ayuntamiento
(City Hall Palace; 9am-4pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon & 2-4pm Sat & Sun)
This double-arcaded structure on
the north side of the park dates from the 18th century. Besides town offices, it houses the
9am-4pm Tue-Fri, 9am-noon & 2-4pm Sat & Sun)
, showcasing the early days of Guatemalan printing,
with a replica of Guatemala's first printing press. One of its earliest products is promin-
ently displayed: a first edition of
Don Quixote de la Mancha
(Part II).
HISTORIC BUILDING
Museo de Arte Colonial
(admission Q50)
The former Universidad de San Carlos (now in Guatemala City) is the setting
for the Museum of Colonial Art. On display are paintings by leading Mexican artists of
the colonial era, most notably
The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi
by Cristóbal del Vil-
lalpando, plus assorted sacred statuary.
MUSEUM
Antiguo Colegio de la Compañía de Jesús
(6a Av Norte)
Established in 1626, the Jesuit monastery and college was a vital component of
Antigua life until the order was expelled by the Spanish crown in 1767; just six years
later, the great earthquake left it in ruins. Rescued from the rubble by the Spanish govern-
ment, the enormous complex has been reborn as a cultural center, the
Centro de Formación de
la Cooperación Española
OFFLINE MAP
ARTS CENTRE
7932-3838;
www.aecid-cf.org.gt
; 6a Av Norte; admis-
9am-6pm)
.
sion free;
