Walk from Our Hotel

We started out early from our hotel with a walk by Virginia, our tour director. Or else you could just walk around on your own. In the photo, you can see the Volcano Agua, a dormant volcano. But another one close by, the Volcano Fuego, is active. It erupted in 2007 and again in 2012, continuing until 2016. It has erupted numerous times in the past.

We are now viewing the Spanish colonial era in Guatemala from 1524 to 1821, with Antigua becoming the third capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala in 1543 and was for 200 years afterward. The kingdom included Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and part of Mexico. The streets of Antigua are cobble–stoned, the stones from the ballast used on the Spanish ships. Some of the sidewalks are also cobblestoned and the ones that aren’t are not always in good repair and some are very narrow. Walk carefully. Antigua is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Peeking In

We were walking at a good pace but I still was able to peek into some of the places along the way. This looks like a hotel. We would see much Spanish colonial architecture and decorations in Antigua.

Cathedral of the Sirens

Our first stop was at the Cathedral of the Sirens, a cathedral our itinerary said we would be visiting. However, my outside photos of it do not match photos of the cathedral on the internet, so perhaps this the back entrance to the cathedral. The cathedral was built in 1743.

Cathedral of the Sirens

Inside the cathedral.

Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II visited Antigua in 2004 to make Hermano Pedro the first Roman Catholic saint in Central America. This portrait of him was on the wall of the church.

City Hall

On our walk, we passed by the City Hall. It was built around 1743 and refurbished in 1850. It houses the Museum of Santiago (Antigua was originally named Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Goathemalan) and is still used for city offices.

On Our Walk

There were many brightly painted one–story buildings like these on the streets of Antigua.

Capuchinas Church

The Capuchinas Church is part of the Capuchinas Convent and Church complex. It was consecrated in 1736. We visited the convent.

Convento Capuchinas

The square in the middle of the Convento Capuchinas, looking similar to some of the missions built by the Spanish in California.

On My Walk

I left the group at the convent and walked around Antigua on my own. It was quite safe during the day but we were warned against walking around the town at night. The streets were long with many buildings on them.

Iglesia del Carmen

Interspered with the buildings were ruins of churches, this one the Iglesia del Carmen, built in 1683.

Mayan Vendor

There were many Mayan women vendors on the streets, most selling beautiful embroidery. I asked her if I could take her photo after I bought something from her.

Mayan Vendor

If I wasn’t going to buy something from a vendor and I wanted to take a photo, I asked them if I could if I gave them a $1.00. They were happy to do this. This woman had a very interesting face and a nice smile.

Interesting Building

An interesting two–story building that I walked past.

Santa Catalina Arch

The Santa Catalina Arch was built in the 17th century to connect the Convento Catalina with a school across the street. Originally, the nuns could walk from the convent to the school without appearing in the street.

Guatemalan Chocolate

I took this photo at the Chocola La La store, which specializes in artisan chocolates. Guatemala is the birthplace of chocolate and there are 8,172 cocao farms in the country. Guatemala chocolate has between 70% and 80% cacao in it, making it a dark chocolate.

Handicraft Store

Near here was a huge handicraft store with much folk art.

Mayan Vendors

In front of the handicraft store were many Mayan vendors.

The Littlest Vendor

This little girl with her handbag on her shoulder was with the older women vendors.

Perfect Pose

I was sitting down on a bench by the door of the handicraft store when this little girl came in. I asked her if I could take her photo and she posed for me. She earned a dollar for this and more poses. She was adorable.

La Merced Church

I walked past the beautiful La Merced Church, built 1757.

Jesuit Church

Though some of the churches have been restored, some are still in ruins such as the Jesuit Church built in 1698.

Plaza Mayor

Antigua is laid out in a square with the Plaza Mayor, the main plaza, in the middle of the square.

St. James Cathedral

Facing the park is the St. James Cathedral, built in 1541.

Igelsia de San Pedro

On my walk, now heading back to my hotel, was the Igelsia de San Pedro which is attached to the Hospital of San Pedro on its right. Built 1654.

Mayan Women

I spotted these Mayan women and asked them if I could take photos of them, which are in the Antigua–3 slideshow.

Spanish Building

I saw an interesting Spanish building near my hotel. However, I was too tired by this time to explore it. I had been walking most of the day. There is so much to see in Antigua that you need at least two days here––we were given only one day. There were more colonial churches to see, more stores to go into, and more buildings in which see colonial architecture and decorations. You also need a detailed map of Antigua so that you don’t miss anything.