Antigua, Guatemala
The magnificent capital city of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala, Antigua has been besieged by earthquakes, fires and floods but still retains its colonial grandeur. Perched nearly 5,000 feet above sea level and surrounded by a trio of volcanoes, Antigua enjoys a spectacular vantage, providing stunning views of the region with incredible architecture and monuments. Quite simply, it is a must-see site for anyone traveling to Guatemala.
Founded in 1543, Antigua would soon become Guatemala’s Spanish colonial capital after its former capital was destroyed by flooding. With its newfound status, a period of building ensued for the next two centuries marked by elaborate architecture befitting of a great city.
An earthquake in 1773 destroyed most of Antigua’s buildings, but several monuments survived as ruins. As happened two centuries before, Guatemala’s capital was relocated, with Guatemala City assuming the throne. Antigua became little more than a deserted wasteland for decades, but slowly people began to return.
In the 1930s, renovation efforts finally began and in less than ten years, Guatemalan President Jorge Ubico proclaimed Antigua as a national monument. In 1979, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join us on one of our Guatemala adventures and see this remarkable city firsthand as we work with local peoples to improve their lives in this stunning but poverty-stricken city.
