Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
been damaged by earthquakes until the most recent one in 1976, despite its construction
dating to 1740. Some fantastic views of the cathedral and Agua Volcano are framed by the
building's beautiful arches from its second-floor balconies. Today the building houses the
townmunicipalofficesaswellasthe
Museo de Armas de Santiago
(9A.M.-4P.M.Tues.-
Fri., 9 A.M.-noon and 2-4 P.M. Sat.-Sun., $1.50 admission), set in the city's former town
jail.Ithousescolonialartifacts,weapons,paintings,andfurnishings.Perhapsabiggerdraw
thanthemuseum itself isthequiteinteresting colonial fountainembossed withtheemblem
of Santiago (St. James), found in a quiet courtyard. Next door, the
Museo del Libro An-
tiguo
(Antique Book Museum, tel. 7832-5511, 9 A.M.-4 P.M. Tues.-Fri., 9 A.M.-noon and
2-4P.M.Sat.-Sun.,$1.50admission)featuresexhibitsoncolonialprintingandbindingpro-
cesses. There's a replica of the country's first printing press, brought to Guatemala in 1660
from Puebla, Mexico.
another view of Catedral de Santiago
Palacio de los Capitanes Generales
