What is Antigua Guatemala Known For?
Antigua Guatemala is simply called Antigua is a city in the central highlands of Guatemala. It is a well preserved Spanish colonial city that offers beautiful stunning natural surroundings and colonial architecture from its ornate churches, unique buildings, and leafy rooftop terraces. Due to its well preserved Baroque influenced architectures, colonial history, colourful streets and travel oriented benefits, Antigua Guatemala recognised as the most beautiful colonial cities in Central America. Additionally The Mesoamerica Centre help visitors to get brief overview of the city.
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History of Antigua Guatemala
The history of Antigua Guatemala dates back to the 16th century when Antigua Guatemala was called Santiago de los Caballeros by the Spanish conquistadors. The city, originally founded in 1524, as the country’s first capital, also served a central role during colonial periods. There are multiple times (1527, 1542 and 1773) the city was re-established more than 2 centuries until disaster.
Thereafter for more than 2 and half centuries, Antigua Guatemala served as one of the most important economic, political, educational, religious and cultural centres of the continent. Perhaps, these initiatives were positively influenced by the city, once hub of Spanish administrations, commerce and religious activities.
Unfortunately Antigua’s growth was interrupted by a series of devastating natural disasters, especially 1717 and 1773. Until 1776, most of the city’s building repairs and contractions were prohibited, including the 16th century Renaissance.
Despite that, Antigua Guatemala served as a major hub for the exporter of religious and trade centres during the 17th and 18th centuries. All of these city’s historical features were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 and Archaeological Park and Ruins and Quirigua and Tikal National Park respectively. These things help us to attract tourists, historians and cultural enthusiasts from around the world.
Fun Facts about Antigua Guatemala
Some of the fun facts regarding Antigua Guatemala help us to catch unknown things and information. Let’s see;
- Antigua Guatemala is an ideal place to enjoy several volcanoes including active Volcan de Fuego, popular for its stunning and dramatic backdrops for the city.
- Despite its travel oriented benefits, Antigua is often known for great filming locations. Several movies, including the popular “Pirates of Caribbean” series also used Antigua and its scenic locations for shooting.
- Antigua Guatemala is an ancient city featuring more than 30 churches and other colonial era buildings that were all damaged during 1773 earthquakes and have been restored over a period of time.
- Coffee lover’s destination. The place is well known for its coffee growing region, pleasant flavour of coffee and quality of coffee beans.
- The city holds the world’s most beautiful McDonald’s in the world. Despite its global mouthwatering fast food chains, Antigua contains beautiful world famous McDonald’s from its gardens, surrounding and visitor friendly ambiences.
- The city holds a number of world famous festivals throughout the year. “The Holy Week” (Semana Sants) is one of the most famous and celebrated one.
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site. in 1979, Antigua Guatemala recognised by the World Heritage Site for its preserved ancient Spanish colonial architectures, finest town planning in Latin America and unique city planning and grid patterns.
- Vibrant City Market. Often known for its vibrant markets such as textiles, pottery and traditional Guatemalan crafts making it a great place to purchase souvenirs and traditional stuffs even from ancient times.
- Great place to learn Spanish cultures. Since city immersion by the Spanish colonial powers, obviously there are multiple things like local accents, languages, cultures and part of the traditions are positively affected by the Spanish customs.
- Great place for photographers. Landmarks like The Santa Catalina Arch, a yellow and white arch built during the 17th century and the background of Volcan de Agua are the most scenic places to take a photo.
5 Major Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala
1. Take a Photo at Santa Catalina Arch
It is important to start your Antigua Guatemala journey in order to visiting the most picturesque landmark Santa Catalina Arch. Most popular yet, historical significance dates back to the 17th century primarily used to connect Santa Catalina Convent to the city. But today it offers picturesque views during sunrise and sunset. Visitors need to pass through this arch multiple times while exploring this city.
2. Explore Ruins of Antigua
After the hit of massive 1773 earthquakes Antigua Guatemala witnessing huge numbers of ruins of churches, convents and monuments dates back to the early 16th century. Churches like Iglesia de la Merced and San Francisco Church are perfect examples to get insight about historical religious significance. Today many of the city’s ruins include gardens and ancient artefacts. All of these ruins are available to visitors in sidewalks, museums, and historical centres. Visit Santa Clara Convent, Convento Capuchinas, Santo Domingo Museum and La Recoleccion to spot most of the city’s historical ruins.
3. Hike to Acatenango Volcano
Taking hiking to Acatenango Volcano is most appreciating things to do in Antigua which exhibits close up feeling of eruption of Fuego Volcano. Throughout your hiking journey adventure seekers are eligible to hike onto Fuego Volcano and make a tent at Acatenango areas which allow us to see lava erupting and sunrise summit. It is a 2 days adventure activity, where backpackers need to be ready for challenging hiking trails. Additionally do not miss it if you get an opportunity to hike Cerro de la Cruz, where hiking trails offer more panoramic views of Antigua, historical landmarks and local volcanoes.
4. Attend Semana Santa Celebrations
Being a part of the region’s most popular and one of the historically significant festival is the finest thing for every visitor. Semana Santa is a country’s finest event includes, vigils, carpet art, funeral marches, entailing processions and orchards and altars. Also called as Holy Week celebration, primarily celebrating during Easter month. The major reason is to celebrate the memory of passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Indulge yourself in Semana Santa could be the great way to experience the region’s cultural, and historical values to an adventure seeker.
5. Shop at City’s Main Market
Taking a leisurely stroll amidst the city’s main market is the perfect way to spot the best souvenirs, including traditional and local. Guatemala is the best country in Central America to buy gifts due to its number of diverse shops, textile such as Luna Zorro and vendors in the central park. Travellers choose vast collections of souvenirs at very affordable prices like toys, attires, local wines and sweets. Never miss to visit Casa del Jade, a leading jade workshop having a more than 40 years of working experiences. Trip Planner Guatemala take visitors to explore different markets near Antigua along with it help to choose best hotels and transportation facilities.
Today in order to protect and preserve local inputs, academic and local foundations Guatemala passed special protective law called ‘La Antigua Guatemala’. In addition country also established special agency named “Consejo” to preserving efforts and New Root Foundation organisation take a pioneer steps to support local art, education, environment in Guatemala.
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