Antigua Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala is the old capital of Guatemala: the first planned city in the new world, designed by Italian architect Juan Francisco Antonelli in 1542 and built by the Spanish in 1543. It flourished until 1773 when a violent earthquake destroyed it. After that the capital city was rebuilt 45 miles up the road, out of the way of the volcanoes and other dangerous geology, and Antigua remains a very colourful, if slightly dishevelled town - almost the exact opposite of the dusty, chaotic concrete of Guatemala City. A colonial feel is still in the air, with a busy central Plaza bordered by a majestic cathedral and two palaces with a distinct European style, and wide streets with low buildings surrounding courtyards and gardens.

Page:  1  2 

[ Prev ]      [ Next ]