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Sites of Interest
Parque CentralThe graceful Central Park or Plaza Mayor is the heart of Antigua. It has a mermaid fountain in its center built in 1739 by Diego de Porres. There are four smaller fountains at each corner of the park. Central Park has historical monuments surrounding it. La Catedral Metropolitana is to the east, El Palacio de los Capitanes Generales(Palace of the captains and generals) to the south, El Portal del Comercio(trade arcade) and the city hall to the north. During the evenings the park is bustling with activity where families come to relax and enjoy the mariachi or marimba bands that play in the park. Palacio de los CapitanesPalacio de los Capitanes located south of the Plaza Mayor, was the seat of the Spanish colonial government for over 200 years. The original building was constructed in 1558 and has been repeatedly destroyed and reconstructed due to earthquakes. The building as it stands today was constructed in 1735 and housed the Mint. The building is still in use today and holds the police and other government offices. Catedral de SantiagoThe Cathedral of Santiago is located on the east side of the Plaza Mayor. The original church was built in 1543, and was ruined by several earthquakes. Today only its magnificent outer shell remains which is a reconstruction of what the cathedral looked like before it fell. Inside is a vast array of fallen arches broken columns and collapsed walls. Remains of many dignitaries of the colonial period, such as Don Pedro de Alvarado, were buried under the cathedral. Palacio del AyuntamientoThis Palace is built in the nineteenth century eclectic style and was used as the headquarters of the city government. There are still government offices on the first floor. The palace houses the Museum of Santiago which has a collection of colonial furnishings, artifacts and weapons. It also houses the colonial prison and the Old Book Museum which has exhibits of colonial printing and binding. Universidad de San CarlosIn 1676, the Royal and Pontifical University of San Carlos was founded in Antigua. At the time, students could obtain degrees in Theology, Arts, Law, and Medicine. Built in moorish style the rooms are set off an ornamented arched passageway around the patio and central fountain. The building withstood the earthquake of 1773 and with some renovations in 1832 it was converted into a public school. Today the university houses the colonial museum which exhibits art from the colonial period depicting life in old Guatemala.
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