Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
hibitsoftrainparaphernalia,includingsomewonderfuloldphotographs.Somecoolclassic
cars are also on display here.
The city's newest and most offbeat museum is the
Museo del Músico Invisible
(Mu-
seum of the Invisible Musician, 13 Calle 7-30, Zona 1, 9 A.M.-6 P.M. Mon.-Fri., 9 A.M.-1
P.M.Sat.,$2.50adults,$2studentsandchildren).ThebrainchildofGermánRodríguez,the
museum is the realization of a dream 15 years in the making and the product of a life-long
collection of antique musical instruments that began when Rodríguez was 11. Among the
itemsondisplayareharmoniumsfromthe1840sand50s,phonographs,musicboxes,play-
erpianos,andantiqueradios.MostwereacquiredinGuatemala,thoughsomewerebrought
over from neighboring Mexico. Facilities include a theater for viewing movies or listening
to musical performances. Rodríguez says he has many more instruments in his collection
than what is on display and periodically changes the museum's exhibits.
Churches
Several of the city's downtown churches have been restored in recent years and might be
worthastoptoadmiretheirnoteworthyarchitecture.Constructionon
Iglesia de San Fran-
cisco
(6a Avenida and 13 Calle Zona 1, 7 A.M.-noon and 2-7 P.M.) began in 1800 and
wasn't completed until 1851. Outside, it looks charmingly worn down by the elements and
is a light gray.Inside are 18altars ofimpressive quality.Another beautiful church is that of
Iglesia Santo Domingo
(12 Avenida and 10a Calle), constructed between 1792 and 1808.
In addition to its attractive architecture, it is known for its paintings, including one depict-
ingtheapparitionoftheVirginMarytoSantoDomingodeGuzmán,afterwhomthecapital
of the Dominican Republic is named. (It is believed he received the rosary from her.)
El
Cerrito del Carmen
(12Avenidaand2aCalleZona1,7A.M.-noonand2-6P.M.)denom-
inates both the name of this hermitage and the hill on which it rests, with wonderful views
of the downtown area. It dates to 1620 and is known for its image of a virgin of the same
name embossed in silver, a gift from Carmelite nuns in the 17th century. Oil paintings by
TomásdeMerloadorntheinsideof
Iglesia San Miguel de Capuchinas
(10Avenida10-51
Zona 1, 6 A.M.-noon and 2-7 P.M.), with its transitional baroque-neoclassical architecture.
6a and 7a Avenidas
The heart of Guatemala City was traditionally the strip along 6a Avenida, or as locals refer
to it, “La Sexta.” Today, it's a busy commercial district, its sidewalks crammed with in-
formal vendors and streets filled with noisy traffic. Some fine examples of architecture sit
along this historic street, though you'd never know it because most of it is covered by a
profusion of street signs and commercial advertising. The street is closed to all but pedes-
trian traffic on weekends. It's not the safest part of town for a stroll, so be extra careful if
you do venture out this way, as it's rife with pickpockets and assorted other riffraff.
