Antigua, Guatemala, UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Not to be confused with the island of Antigua in the Caribbean which together with Barbuda makes up Antigua and Barbuda. Full name, La Antigua Guatemala, 45km from Guatemala City at an altitude of 1530m.
Founded as Santiago de Los Caballeros de Guatemala in 1524, it served as the capital for more than 200 years before they moved the capital to Guatemala City.
On April 7, 1799, the city was officially named La Antigua Guatemala.
Volcán de Agua seen through the ruins of the Convento de La Recolección:
Volcanoes in Antigua
Volcán de Agua is clearly visible to the south of Antigua. 3760m asl but has not erupted in more than 60,000 years. Acatenango has two peaks, Pico Mayor (3,976m) and Yepocapa (3,880 m). Acatenango is joined with Volcán de Fuego and collectively the volcano complex is known as La Horqueta. Acatenango last erupted in 1972. Volcán de Fuego, Volcano of Fire, is just 16km from Antigua. Last erupted in 2018 but regularly spews out ash and gas every 20 minutes or so.
Photo from the roof top of my hostel, on full zoom and a little bit of ‘drama’ using the SNAPSPEED app.
The popular Acatenango Volcano overnight hike is a challenging 2-day trek starting from Antigua, Guatemala, which is as close as you can get to the Volcán de Fuego.
When I was there, it was raining lots, so I didn’t see the point. No views, not to mention being soaked through and sleeping overnight in a bad-quality tent. No thanks.
But I did do an afternoon hike to the Papaya Volcano, and yes, I got soaked through, and my shoes fell apart. NOT climbing Acatenango proved a wise decision.
Earthquakes in Antigua
The biggest quake to shake Antigua was in 1976. At a depth of just 5km and a magnitude of 7.6, it claimed 23,000 lives and left 76,000 injured. Extensive damage.
In 1773, the Santa Marta earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 claimed the lives of 500-600 people and destroyed most of the city, which is why they moved the capital to Guatemala City.
Top Historical Sites in Antigua
These are my not-to-be-missed sights when visiting Antigua, an essential destination when you are backpacking Guatemala.
1. Convento de Capuchinas
Founded in 1736 by 5 nuns from the Capuchin Convent in Madrid where no dowry was needed to enter so that “the many good women from poor families could adopt a religious life”.
It is notable for the 18 ‘cells’ built in a circular formation. It was abandoned after the 1773 earthquake.
2. Convento de La Recolección:
Built in the early 18th century this beautiful colonial monument now in ruins was the seat of the Order of the Minor Recollect Brothers, an order that lived in poverty and focused on helping indigenous people.
It is quite a small site, but fun to scramble over the ruins of a convent destroyed in 1773.
3. Iglesia y Convento La Merced:
4. Iglesia Santa Rosa:
5. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen:
6. Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Belén:
7. Iglesia de la Candelaria:
8. Santa Catalina Arch:
The Santa Catalina Arch. The icon of the city of La Antigua Guatemala.
Built in 1694, it allowed the nuns to cross the street from the Santa Catalina convent to the school without being seen in public:
9. Tanque La Unión:
Tanque La Unión, the public laundrette from colonial times:
10. Palacio del Ayuntamiento:
The Antigua Guatemala City Hall, which was built between 1740 and 1743.
11. Palacio de los Capitanes:
The Palace of the Captains General, or Royal Palace, was built between 1549 and 1563.
12. San José Cathedral:
The Cathedral of San José, located across from Central Park in Antigua Guatemala, is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Its original construction began in 1545 and it was consecrated in 1680. The cathedral suffered severe damage from earthquakes, particularly those of 1717 and 1773, which caused its partial destruction. It’s facade was rebuilt, and today the cathedral functions as an active Catholic church.
13. Cerro de la Cruz:
Hill on the north side of the city affording great views:
It’s open from 7.30 am to 6 pm and policed. Lots of vendors at the top.
Transport – Getting to and from Antigua:
Guatemala City to Antigua
If you are flying into Guatemala, you can take a ‘shuttle publico’ from the La Aurora International Airport straight to Antigua. If you are brave or possibly foolhardy you can get yourself to the chicken bus station, Hacia Occidente in Guatemala City, situated right in the heart of the action in Zona 3 and get a connection to Antigua though it’s not that the actual chicken buses are dangerous per se. They get held up by bandidos!
