Antigua and Pacaya (Volcano)

Places of Interest - Guatemala

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introduction

Antigua Guatemala is located in the valley of Panchoy, below the volcano the Agua which lies south of the center. Volcano Fuego and Acatenango are not far from the city, which may have been the city's demise, but also perhaps its salvation in the past. Antigua was once the Spanish capital of Latin America until it was buried under the lava of a gigantic volcanic eruption in the mid-18th century.

Nowadays, Antigua is experiencing a new flowering period. With its colonial architectural style, its clear size and typical markets, Antigua is a far larger tourist attraction than the capital. It is known for the many language schools for those who want to study Spanish. Every year during the Holy Week (Semana Santa) many events are organized such as flower carpets (alfombras) and processions through the cozy Colonial streets.

Antigua is also known for the jade that is sold there. The city is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

highlights

Downtown Antigua:

Parque Central (with the 1936 replica of the fountain of the mermaids) which is an oasis of peace and is flanked by many colonial gems is one of the great sights of the city. Palace de Los Capitanes Generales from which almost entirely Latin America was governed is built on the south side of the park.

Other important sights are the Cathedral de Santiago, the University of San Carlos museum, churches of La Merced, San Francisco and las Capuchinas, Casa Popenoe (restored colonial house), museum and hotel Santo Domingo and the viewpoint Cerro de la Cruz . Probably the most photographed object in Antigua is therefore the Arco de Santa Catalina - a stone arch in 5a Av Norte that runs from side to side.

In nearby Jocotenango is the La Azotea museum with an overview of coffee cultivation and a beautiful collection of musical instruments that the Mayas used. The Franciscan monk Hermano Pedro de San José de Betancourt (1626 - 1667) worked in the San Francisco convent and was concerned with the fate of the sick and needed. In 2002 he was declared a saint by Pope John Paul II.

His grave is a place of pilgrimage and is situated next to the San Francisco church. In the city there is a hospital for the poor that bears his name.

Volcano Pacaya:

The Pacaya volcano lies about 29 km east of Antigua and is 2552 meters high of alititude. The volcano was formed mainly in the last 23,000 years and is part of a chain of volcanoes along the western coastal region of Guatemala.

Since 1565 the Pacaya has erupted at least 23 times and is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America. Since 1965 the volcano has been active almost continuously and it erupted in 1998 and the last time in 2010 when three people died and thousands were evacuated.

The volcano is a tourist attraction because visitors would like to see and experience an active and/or working volcano. An ascent of the volcano consists of a 1.5 to 2 hour walk up the volcano and about 1 to 1.5 hours back down. Lunch and an English guide are also included. Costs vary and can cost up to Q350 including transport and the entrance fee of the park (Q40).

Pacaya-Vulcano-Guatemala-Antigua-Lava-Dogs

history

Before the (Colonial) Spaniards decided to move the capital to the current Antigua Guatemala it had already been located elsewhere twice. Iximche (now an archaeological site) was preferred because it was the capital of the Kaqchiquel tribe with which they had a "fragile" understanding. When this failed, the Spaniards turned to Ciudad Vieja which disappeared during a land and mud shift of the globe.

Antigua was founded by the Spanish conquistadors in 1543 under the name Santiago de los Caballeros. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the city as the capital of New Spain, which was governed from southern Mexico to Costa Rica, was embellished with schools, universities, churches, monasteries and hospitals. There was no cutbacks in architecture and the population rose fast.

At its peak, Antigua would contain no fewer than 38 churches, as well as a printing press, a private newspaper and a very lively political and cultural scene. However, the city was hit by epidemics several times. Various earthquakes also took their toll. In 1773 in particular, large parts of the city were laid in ruins. After these earthquakes, the capital was officially moved to the safer Guatemala City in 1776, after which the name of Santiago de los Caballeros changed to La Antigua Guatemala (old Guatemala).

Antigua was plundered and stripped of building materials but it was not completely abandoned. On the contrary, during the coffee "boom" the city started to grow again. Renovation took place despite the government's disinterest. In 1976 another heavy earthquake occurred. Three years later the city was put on the UNESCO list and the renovation got a decent "boost". When many Spanish (language) schools started to settle here, the international tourists came to Antigua. They took their tourist money with them and again the city came to light.

tips & advice (2007)

The bus station (if you can call it that) is behind the market, west of the center. Buses and minibuses depart to different destinations at different locations.

Antigua - Chichicastengo: buses to Chichicastengo leave from the bus station. You will first have to take a bus to Chimaltenango. There (along the Interamericana Highway) change to a bus to Chichicastengo. The journey takes about 45 minutes to the first destination (20 km) and costs about 3 to 4Q.

Buses go every fifteen minutes. If you want to go in 1x with a minibus (faster without changing) you pay about 80Q in total.

Antigua - Copan (HONDURAS): Minibuses to Copan just over the border in Honduras you will have to arrange through a travel agency or agent. Costs will be around 250Q; the driver will pick you up around 4 a.m. and you will arrive at the site at 10 a.m.

ATTENTION: especially tourists-desks that arrange minibuses to Tikal (and Flores) still want you to bring to Guatemala City and then put you on the normal public transport bus.

Name: Hostel Rona

Content:

Most likely this "guesthouse" no longer exists but do not worry. There are dozens of accommodation options in Antigua from a 5 star hotel to dormitories in a hostel. You will not have trouble finding options - except for "Semana Santa" when every room is reserved in advance.

Even at the international airport (Guatemala City) you can book a hostel or hotel at counters where chances are that you will be picked up (for free).