Church of Saint Sebastian

The famous poet Rafael Landívar was baptized in this church. It started out as a hermitage in 1565, where the Church of Saint Philip stands today. In those days it was decreed that the church would be visited each year by the Cathedral’s procession.

The church was dedicated to Saint Sebastian, the patron that protected the city from the damages caused by the several earthquakes that often hit.

The church was moved to a better location in Antigua Guatemala. In 1689, an earthquake damaged the church.

After several years, the church was finally rebuilt and was appointed a parish in 1692.

The several religious orders worked relentlessly to rebuild the temples of the Colonial City.

Despite their efforts, the earthquake of 1773 ruined the church.

City authorities ordered that the temple be abandoned. Today it is a gentle reminder of the hard work of its faithful.

A park was put up in what used to be the atrium. A fountain surrounded by palm trees that provide an ideal stage for chatting or reading ornaments it.

Each park provides a different environment to the visitors. Central Park offers music and hullabaloo to national and foreign tourists. The Park of Saint Sebastian is calmer and provides a good opportunity to escape the daily grind.