Arch of Santa Catalina

It has without any doubt become an unmistakable icon in La Antigua Guatemala. Its history goes back to the day which the convent’s construction was authorized, December 27, 1609, which did not start until four years later on May 10, 1613. It is located on 1a.

Calle Poniente and 6ª Avenida Norte. Its location creates an image that has been copied on paintings and pictures by countless people; it can be contemplated with the Agua Volcano on the background.

More than a monument

The Convent of Santa Catalina Virgin and Martyr had the reclusion ideal, which meant that the interns avoided any contact with town people in general.

The convent gained followers gradually and with its growth it became necessary to occupy part of the block across the street. This was a problem, because they had no intention of crossing through the street.

Location in La Antigua Guatemala Click here and go to the interactive map.

So the Arch of Santa Catalina was created more by the necessity of walking unseen to the rest of the Convent, this is how the construction started on the month of July 1963.

The earthquakes of Santa Marta in 1773 affected this part of town. It has a clock that has to be rewind every three days, it is from the end of the 19th Century, it is of a French label called Lamy Amp Lacroix.

At the beginning it did not have the clock that can be seen today, this one was set during the government of General Jorge Ubico. It was damaged during the earthquake in 1976 and stopped working, but it was repaired and set back again in 1991.

Nowadays the Convent turned into the Hotel Convent of Santa Catalina Martyr and the street is popularly known as the “Arch Street”. New Year’s Eve is celebrated here, presenting a variety of cultural shows that range from music, poetry, and stories to traditional dances.