Sacatepéquez

Although it is the smallest of the Departments in size, Sactepéquez has the largest of reputations in the country. It shelters La Antigua Guatemala in the Panchoy Valley, named Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO, and is the destination of thousands of tourists from around the world.

Traditional fabrics, ceramics, gold and silver craftwork, and ironwork are some of the artisanry found in the surroundings of Antigua and Ciudad Vieja. The exquisite artistic activity of Sactepéquez has preserved the Spanish traditions and has earned it an excellent reputation in all of Central America.

Left Old University of San Carlos in Antigua Guatemala.

The floral doorway to the Altiplano

By: Luis Villar Anleu

This territory is located in the middle of the Volcanic Chain ridge, inclining to the Pacific Ocean like a section of highland that leans to the great plain of the ocean to the south.

A small part of these lands to the north drain to the Caribbean Sea, by way of the Río Motagua, taking in the Río Pixcayá, that at mid-point takes in the Río Santo Domingo (the local branch of the Santo Domingo takes various names in its upper waters such as Chopac, Xaltayá Chinimayá, and Chiritzrín), but the major portion of this drainage flows to the south. Its principal channel, cutting through the center, is the Río Guacalate. Its headwaters are in Chimaltenango, a little north of the border, entering at San Luis Las Carretas, traversing the Panchoy-Almolonga Valley and exiting through a narrow pass between the Fuego, Acatenango and Agua volcanoes. During its meandering course through the valley it takes in the Río Pensativo, tied to the life of the city of La Antigua Guatemala for several centuries. Guacalate Canyon is transcendental serving as access for communication with the coastal plain.

The volcanoes of the region, which are shared with the neighboring departments, are Acatenango, Fuego and Agua. El Fuego is shared with Chimaltenango and Escuintla while Acatenango is shared with Chimaltenango, and Agua with Escuintla.

The union of two intermountain valleys forms the central plateau of the Department. One of these, in the southern position, tends to be called Almolonga while the other is the Panchoy Valley.

The natural attractions of this Department are Volcán de Agua, Volcanes Acatenango and Fuego, Florencia, the scenic route of Río Guacalate, the Historic Route of the Laguna de Dueñas, La Cruz Mountain, Mariposario de Jocotenango and the Cubo Spa.

Artisanry

By: Francisco Rodríguez Rouanet and Aracely Esquivel

Fabrics

Among the municipalities that create cotton fabrics are Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Sumpango, Santiago Sacatepéquez, Pastores, Jocotenango, Santa Catarina Barahona, San Antonio Aguas Calientes, La Antigua Guatemala, San Lucas Sacatepéquez, Ciudad Vieja, Magdalena Milpas Altas and Santa María de Jesús.

Ceramics

The ceramics in La Antigua Guatemala can be divided into the categories of tin-glaze and painted and can be found in the municipalities of Pastores and San Miguel Dueñas.

Baskets

Palm, tulle, wicker, wheat stalks, bamboo and tree bark are all used in the fabrication of woven baskets in the municipalities of Jocotenango, San Bartolomé Milpas Altas, Santa Catarina Barahona, San Miguel Dueñas, Ciudad Vieja and Alotenango.

Rope

Rope is used to create hammocks, cargo nets and purses in Jocotenango, Santa Catarina Barahona, Ciudad Vieja, Santa María de Jesús and Alotenango.

Furniture

The municipalities of Sumpango, Pastores, Santa Catarina Barahona, San Antonio Aguas Calientes, San Miguel Dueñas, Ciudad Vieja, Santa María de Jesús, Magdalena Milpas Altas, La Antigua Guatemala and Alotenango all create various types of furniture.

Musical instruments

Guitars, violins and contrabasses are constructed in Jocotenango, La Antigua Guatemala, Ciudad Vieja and San Antonio Aguas Calientes.

Metal products

They craft metal railings, handles, knockers and lamps in the municipalities of Santiago Sacatepéquez, San Antonio Aguas Calientes, La Antigua Guatemala, Santa María de Jesús and Alotenango.

Gold and silver craft

Works of gold and silver are created in La Antigua Guatemala. In Santa María de Jesús they use exclusively silver. Candlesticks, candelabras and lamps of tin are made in the municipalities of La Antigua Guatemala, Santa María de Jesús and San Antonio Aguas Calientes.

Candle making

Candles of different sizes and shapes and religious candles are elaborated in the municipalities of Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Sumpango, Pastores, La Antigua Guatemala, Ciudad Vieja and San Miguel Dueñas.

Traditions

By: Carlos René García Escobar

Cofradías and Hermandades

The famous city of La Antigua Guatemala maintains within its traditions the hermandades that correspond to the different images of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.

Dances

The dance of Venado is practiced in Santa María de Jesús and De Toritos in the municipalities of Sumpango, Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Santiago Sacatepéquez, San Miguel Dueñas and San Lucas Sacatepéquez.

The dance of Moros y Cristianos is performed in La Antigua Guatemala, in the barrio of Santa Ana, and its Spanish variation in San Lucas Sacatepéquez. Other variations such as Los Siete Pares de Francia, Los Doce Pares de Francia, Los Reyes Argelinos, La Reina Catalina, Carlo Magno and Napoleón are found in Ciudad Vieja. Don Fernando is danced in San Miguel Dueñas and El Rosario in Sumpango. El Rey Salinas is practiced in Jocotenango and El Rey Solín contra El Rey Clarión in La Antigua Guatemala.

La Conquista is danced in Ciudad Vieja, San Miguel Dueñas and Alotenango as well as a variation called Los Indios Bárbaros del Norte that is practiced in San Miguel Dueñas. Los Animalitos is practiced in San Antonio Aguas Calientes while Los 24 Diablos is danced in Ciudad Vieja, San Miguel Dueñas and Alotenango. Del Siete Vicios and the Siete Virtudes are found in San Miguel Dueñas, the Las Flores in San Miguel Dueñas and Ciudad Vieja.

The dance of the Gigantes is found in La Antigua Guatemala, Sumpango, Santo Domingo Xenacoj, San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Jocotenango and Pastores. The Convites, in certain cases, is presented in the municipalities of La Antigua Guatemala, Jocotenango, Pastores, Santo Domingo Xenacoj, San Lucas Sacatepéquez, Santa María de Jesús, Ciudad Vieja and San Antonio Aguas Calientes.