With a sober white façade this building, neighbor of the Instituto Normal Central para Varones, shelters the Museum of the University of San Carlos, MUSAC, and it distinguishes easily from the rest of buildings which surround it.

This part of the Historic Center of the Capital City evokes past times; and since it is on the same block as the Congress of the Republic it is also a crucial spot of the political activity of the country.

The MUSAC is the star of the zone, not only for its beauty but also because its walls shelter history. It was in this place where the document of Proclamation of Absolute Independence of the country and the pioneer document that abolished slavery were elaborated. The Federal Constitution of Central America in 1823 was also drafted here.

Its Main Room, where academic events and conferences are carried out today, was from 1884 until 1957 the National Library. Of course, time has not been merciful with this building, which was declared a national monument in 1970. The earthquakes of 1917, 1918 and 1976 were harsh with it, and it was not until this last mentioned year when the restoration began, in order to recover the splendor of its first days.

The Historic Room of MUSAC contains objects and documents about the development of this Alma Mater.

The main entrance to the museum is located on 9th Avenue, 9-79, zone 1.Ornamented with a heavy stone frame, the upright sections of forgedmetal announce that we are about to enter a low profile architectoniccomplex, with not too much luxury but filled with ornamental detailsand beauty in the neoclassic style.

White walls, stone carved details, vaulted ceilings, wooden doors and stone floors are the most notorious characteristics.

The halls, which in other times served as classrooms surround thecentral yard. On its geometrical center a marvelous finished fountainstands out. It is hard not to get excited being in front of amasterpiece which was planned according to the careful details of theown architects of the classic world.

If the building make us feel as if we were in Antigua Guatemala, it isbecause its construction was ordered by the colonial authorities in theyear 1776; to be built in the "manzana número 79" so that theUniversity of San Carlos, USAC, could continue working after thecapital city was transferred.

The works started until the year 1779, under the direction of architectBernardo Ramírez, and since then it has been a faithful witness of thedevelopment of the political, social and economic history of thecountry.

The documents kept on the museum have a deep historic value.

On June 22, 1994, more than a decade ago, the Museum of the Universityof San Carlos opens its doors in this old building, to transform into acrucial point of the academic culture, not only of USAC, but of otherinstitutions that carry out their activities in this place.

The rooms now serve to exhibit interesting art collections. Forexample, the Historic Room of USAC, considered as the heart of themuseum has sheltered collections from different cultures, eithernational as foreign.

Its permanent expositions, which must be seen whenever visiting themuseum, are located in the Sala de las Culturas, Galeria de Arte, SalaEducativa 12 de Abril and the Sala Histórica del Edificio.

On the other hand and according to pamphlets, MUSAC also offers"educational supporting services to facilitate, deepen, and spreadbetween the public the product of investigations (art, science, cultureand history) with scientific exactness and accessible language."

The tour around the described installations might be brief, but itleaves a lifetime impression, and if you have the chance to visit it atdifferent times of the day, you will prove that its beauty changesdepending on the light incidence on the walls of its halls.

If you later pass by on front of it, you will never see this corner again as you used to before the experience.