Antiqua

A busy day today in and around Antigua, Guatemala's (and all of Spanish Central America's) colonial capital city. An earthquake did significant damage here in 1773, causing the Spanish to move the capital to Guatemala City.

Example of local architecture.

A number of subsequent quakes, including the big one in 1976, have also taken their toll. But despite the many ruins that have never been repaired, the city still has the flavor of the 1600s and 1700s, with cobblestone streets and antique architecture.

Courtyard of San Pedro Hermano

We began with a walking tour that included the church of San Pedro Hermano -- a Franciscan priest of the 1600s who founded a community of religious here who maintain a hospital here and continue to do a lot of work for the poor.

San Pedro Hermano interior is more grand than the exterior

The Cathedral on the main plaza in the center of town has a grand edifice, and looks like it must be really something inside. However, most of it beyond the front doors is in ruins, and only a small side chapel has been restored and is in use.

Unlike most buildings in Antiqua, the Cathedral has more going for it on the outside than inside.

We were trotted through a jade factory. These tours are the same everywhere -- whether China or Guatemala, or for that matter, silk factories, oriental rug factories, and others follow the same script. We were among the few from our tour who did not buy.

Like most market towns in Central America, Antiqua's main fountain has facilities for doing laundry.

The bus then drove us a short distance to the Hotel Santo Domingo. This hotel has become quite famous, though it is not all that old. It is built on the site of an earthquake-ruined monastery/convent, but instead of bulldozing the ruins and building a glass and steel tower, they incorporated the ruins into the design of the five-star hotel, restaurants, convention center, etc.

Hotel Santo Domingo restaurant

Hotel Santo Domingo lobby

 The juxtaposition of the old and new is quite fascinating, and the theme is carried out in a private museum on the site that features modern art pieces paired with Mayan are on similar themes. It was really interesting.

Hotel Santo Domingo museum. Contemporary art owl at left, against Mayan owl.

Hotel Santo Domingo the convent crypt has been preserved.

We had a very good lunch at a local restaurant, and then went to the "Artisan's Market," which was just slightly higher class than some of the street markets we've been in. We actually bought some things here.

Hotel Santo Domingo grounds.

Hotel Santo Domingo macaws.

 After relaxing a bit at the hotel, we set out on foot for the city center to find a restaurant our guide had recommended. On the way we came across a "chocolate museum" (actually a store) where we found some very unusual cacao tea -- we think it will pass border inspection.

Hotel Santo Domingo hires local women to make and sell traditional crafts.

After dinner we sat in the plaza for a bit and did some people watching before returning to the hotel.