Antigua

The town

Antigua Guatemala, or simply Antigua is a splendid colonial town and it's a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala, a former territory of New Spain and the Spanish Empire of 1540 to 1821.

The town highlights are its architecture of Baroque-Renaissance style, and its numerous ruins caused by earthquakes in 1773. Antigua is surrounded by volcanoes, among which, Fuego is still active nowadays.

Antigua is very touristy, and it's the most expensive town in Guatemala. There is a constant flow of tourists, and it's probably the most visited places in the country. Nevertheless, the town is extremely pretty, and it deserves a stay of a few days.

Cerro de la Cruz

The Fuego Volcano regularly spit some thick fumes.

From Cerro de la Cruz, north of town, it's possible to admire the town and the magnificent volcanoes surrounding it.

Agua Volcano on the left, and Fuego on the right.

Arch of Santa Catalina

The iconic image of Antigua: the arch of Santa Catalina with the Agua Volcano in the background.

The cathedral

The construction of the cathedral started in 1543. Then it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. A part of the cathedral was rebuilt, but most of it is in ruins.

Church and Monastery of San Francisco

Behind this church is hidden the monastery of San Francisco.

Cemetery

After visiting Antigua Cemetery, we realize how rich the town once was. The funerary monuments are just impressive.

Convento de Santa Clara

This convent was founded in 1734 by nuns from Puebla, in Mexico. Like so many other buildings in Antigua, it was destroyed by the great earthquakes and then abandoned.

Convento de las Capuchinas

Inaugurated in 1736 by nuns from Madrid, Spain. Destroyed in 1773, and then abandoned.

Convento de la Recolección

This convent was built in the beginning of the years 1700 by the Récollets (a French branch of the Franciscan Order). Its church was one of the largest in Antigua at that time. Destroyed in 1773.

My apartment

During my stay in Antigua, I chose a room in one of these condominiums that can be rented on Airbnb.

From the roof's deck, I could see the magnificent volcanoes Agua, Fuego and Acatenango.

Agua Volcano.

Fuego Volcano (on the left) and Acatenango.