Antigua

Antigua is such a beautifully preserved colonial city that it would be remiss of me not to mention it or post any pictures. The guidebook says that if the Scandinavians were to come to Guatemala and build a city, Antigua would be it. UNESCO listed, the colourful buildings are no higher than two stories and the town contains many ruins of beautiful old churches, which you tend to just happen across as you're walking down the street. The town is set in a grid pattern in a valley surrounded by volcanoes. The cobblestone streets look nice but are a pain the arse when you're wearing thongs, and when its raining - there are such big gaps between the stones and all the streets are built with a slope into the centre - I kicked my toes and tripped more than a couple of times. Given it's beauty and proximity to Guate (the capital), it is a magnet for tourists and many come here to learn spanish and volunteer. Many of the rich locals from Guate head here for the weekend filling the town and its many restaurants and bars.

A Brief History

Founded in 1543, Antigua was was the seat of Spanish colonial government for the Kingdom of Guatemala, which included Chiapas, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The full title bestowed upon the city was Muy Leal y Muy Noble Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Goathemala, that is, the "Very Loyal and Very Noble City of Saint James of the Knights of Guatemala." Ultimately, Antigua grew into the most important city in Central America, filled with monumental buildings of ornate Spanish colonial architecture. By 1773, in addition to the cathedral and government palace the city could boast of over 30 churches, 18 convents and monasteries, 15 hermitages, 10 chapels, the University of San Carlos, five hospitals, an orphanage, fountains and parks, and municipal water and sewer systems. Throughout its history the it was repeatedly damaged by earthquakes, but on July 29, 1773, the day of Santa Marta, an earthquake wrought such destruction that officials petitioned the King of Spain to allow them to move the capital to safer ground, which led to the founding in 1776 of present-day Guatemala City. Antigua was left to maintain its old world charm which is today so appealing.