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About Antigua Guatemala
La
Antigua Guatemala is a beautiful colonial city that
was founded in the early 16th century by the Spaniards.
Built 1,500 meters above sea-level in the highlands
of Guatemala, it was largely destroyed by an earthquake
in 1773, but many of the original monuments are still
preserved as ruins. Public buildings, churches, convents
and old residences are examples of the baroque architecture
and the prosperity of this ancient capital, designated
a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
Antigua
was one of the first cities in the New World to use
the Spanish grid design in the layout of the streets.
Today, Antigua retains its original charm and still
has cobble stone streets and Spanish Colonial architecture.
Antigua
is one of the principal ceramic producing centers in
Guatemala. The technique was inherited from Spain in
the 16th Century. The manufacture of fruit carved in
wood, wax products and traditional candies are other
artisan activities that have made this colonial city
famous. Furthermore, tourism is also a major part of
the local economy.
 Take a look
at our courses
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The History
La Antigua Guatemala means the "ancient
Guatemala". The city was founded on March 10, 1543,
as the third capital of Guatemala, after the nearby town
of Ciudad Vieja was destroyed in a flood. For more than
200 years, Antigua Guatemala was the seat of the military
governor of the Spanish colony of Guatemala, a large region
that included almost all of present-day Central America.
The conquistadores named the city “La Muy Noble
y Muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala”
("The Very Noble and Very Loyal City of Santiago
of the Knights of Guatemala") but it was known as
Santiago de Guatemala, in honor of their patron saint,
Santiago.
In 1773, a series of earthquakes destroyed much of the
town. The Spanish Crown ordered (1776) the removal of
the capital to a safer location, where Guatemala City,
the modern capital of Guatemala, now stands. The badly
damaged city was ordered to be abandoned, although not
everyone left.
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Volcanoes
Three
large volcanoes dominate the horizon around Antigua.
The most commanding, to the south of the city, is the
Volcán de Agua or "Volcano of Water",
some 3766 meters (12 356 feet) high. It is so named because
the crater atop of it was formerly filled with water.
Shortly after the Spanish conquest of Guatemala, the first
capital was on a site part-way up this mountain. It was
destroyed by a flood and mudslide when an earthquake let
loose the water from the crater, and the capital of Guatemala
was moved down the valley to the current Antigua. The
original site is a village now known as "Ciudad Vieja",
("The Old City").
To the west of the city stand the Acatenango volcano,
long inactive, some 3976 meters (13045 feet) high, and
the Volcán de Fuego or "Volcano of Fire",
some 3763 meters (12346 feet) high. "Fuego"
is famous for being almost constantly active at a low
level. Smoke issues from its top daily, but larger eruptions
are rare.
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Festivals
Antigua
hosts one of the country's biggest and most important
festivals of all: Semana Santa, known in English as Easter
Week. Throughout the week processions march through the
city and local artists create “alfombras”,
“paintings”, on the streets made from colored
sawdust, depicting flowers and religious scenes. This
tradition of sawdust paintings is very old and is believed
to have begun sometime in the 16th Century with the arrival
of the Spanish to the area. |
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Culture
The
nuclear family has an average of 5 members and almost
all the town is mix ladino and the only language is Spanish.
They practice various religions but the majority is catholic.
According to the 2002 census, the city has some 33,000
inhabitants |
The
Weather
Antigua is located in the tropics and therefore has nice
weather all year long. Its high elevation keeps the city
from getting too hot in the summer, the average daytime
temperature all year round being in the 70's, unlike some
other parts of the country which are closer to sea level
and which can become very hot and humid. Antigua's night
time temperatures tend to drop into the 50's, requiring
a jacket. Antigua does have a rainy season which lasts
from May through September. During this season it rains
nearly every day in the late afternoon and evening. The
remainder of the calendar year is relatively dry. Because
of its pleasant weather Antigua is a great place to visit
at any time of the year.
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What
FREE activities can I do?
Orientation
Tour of Antigua on first day
Films
Sports - Football, Volleyball, Basketball, etc
Dance Classes - Salsa and Merengue
Trip to 'Cerro de la Cruz' - with fantastic views of Antigua
Conversation classes
'Clases de manualidades' - learn how to make some of the
local craftwork
Celebrations
Visit to voluntary projects
Visit to Jade factory
Visit to artisans factory
Visit to silver factory
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