Adventures in Guatemala (Part 4) – Antigua, the Old Capital

In 1543, Spanish conquistadors founded Santiago de los Caballeros.  For more than 200 years, it served as the seat of the military governor of the region’s Spanish colonies.  It was nearly destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1717, but it wasn’t until the Santa Marta earthquake of 1773 that the capitol was moved to the present-day Guatemala City.  From that day, the old capitol of Santiago de los Caballeros became Antigua Guatemala (Old Guatemala).  Today, the city has about half the population it did 250 years ago (less than 35,000 people), but much of the Spanish Baroque architecture of the time as well as the ruins of several colonial churches remain as monuments to its heyday.

Today, Antigua is tranquil yet cosmo-politan.  It has become Guate-mala's foremost tourist destination owing to its many amenities and its proximity to local attractions.   The city itself is beautiful and full of history.  With its cobblestone streets, brightly colored houses and Spanish- Baroque Architecture, It’s like stepping back in time to Spanish Colonial America.

Musicians Bringing in Their Equipment

 Antigua is small and safe, so easy to walk around.  One of our favorite places to people watch was at the communal laundries where women and children went to spend the day as much for the society as for clean clothes.  If you’re interested in chicken buses, the station is a great place to see many of the brightly colored vehicles in one place.  Everywhere, there are street vendors and impromptu markets.  For those who like history, the home of the Spanish Governor is now a museum with much of the original décor, and the ruins of 18th century churches spot the city.   In the center of town, the Parque Central is a great meeting place where there are often festivals and music.

Getting a ride home - near Parque Central

Antigua also has many Spanish language schools with very affordable programs.  If you plan to travel extensively in Latin America, it would be worthwhile taking your first month in Antigua to do an intensive Spanish course before continuing your ‘Adventures in Traveling’.