Historic Centre of Antigua Guatemala

Ruins of a church in Antigua Guatemala
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Antigua_guatemala_church_roof.JPG
Author: chensiyuan


Antigua Guatemala is a city in the central highlands of Guatemala. It was founded in the 16th century. Despite being in an earthquake-prone region, in a span of less than three centuries, Antigua Guatemala has acquired a good number of Spanish Mudéjar-influenced Baroque buildings. However many of the buildings in Antigua Guatemala were destroyed by a big earthquake that hit it in 1773.

Today many of the ruins of Antigua Guatemala are well preserved. They are spectacular examples of a medieval city built on a grid pattern inspired by the Italian Renaissance.

Antigua was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 3rd session of the World Heritage Committee which met in Cairo and Luxor on 22-26 October, 1979.

Las Capuchinas
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Las_Capuchinas_(3268828977).jpg
Author: Greg Willis

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 14 34 W 90 40
Inscription Year: 1979
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: II, III, IV Iglesia y Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Merced in Antigua, Guatemala
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nuestra_Se%C3%B1ora_de_la_Merced_in_Antigua,_Guatemala.jpg
Author: Adam Baker

Visiting Antigua

Antigua Guatemala is located just some 30 km west of Guatemala City. You can go there by public bus (they call it a chicken bus, as the peasants often transport their poultry onboard). Alternatively, you can catch a taxi from the airport straight to Antigua, for Q250.

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