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Historic richness and pride
Only a few places in the world keep so many elements, images, streets and architecture of the past, as Antigua Guatemala .
This city is the result of the constant effort of religious, governors and settlers, who work hard in rebuilding a series of constructions which felt down over and over due to earthquakes. They were affected even by a flood of rocks and mud from a landslide of the Hunapú Volcano, which was later called “Volcan de Agua” (Water Volcano).
This city is admired and respected, not only for the magnificence of its buildings and general walls, but also for the people who have made it possible for the city to keep standing up.
Located to the west of Guatemala , at only 45 minutes from the capital city, it reunites a group of churches, hermitages, convents, museums and very important ruins, which have transcend up to the present.
Home to the kind “antigüeños” (people from Antigua ), and second home of many foreigners which have decided to stay, this tourist destination has a cultural and historic relevance of great importance to the world.
UNESCO declared the city as Patrimony of Humanity. Up to this year, this organization has recognized 812 places with this category for many different reasons; among them, the efforts carried out for rebuilding and constant revitalization, as well as the respect to conservation policies kept by these treasures, which are very well alike to its original state.
Text, photos and virtual travels by: Héctor Roldán
Sources:
Domingo Juarros y Montúfar
Compendio de la historia de la Ciudad de Guatemala
Edición crítica y estudio preliminar por el académico Ricardo Toledo Palomo
Volumen XXXIII Biblioteca Goathemala. Guatemala, 1999
Academia de Geografía e Historia de Guatemala.
Museo de Santiago de los Caballeros de La Antigua Guatemala
Palacio de Ayuntamiento, 4ª Calle Plaza Central.
Museo del Libro Antiguo
Palacio de Ayuntamiento, Casa de la Primera Imprenta No 6, La Antigua Guatemala.
Directorio Arquidiócesis de Santiago de Guatemala 2000 – 2005.
Jades, S.A. Museo del Jade
4ª Calle Oriente No. 34, La Antigua Guatemala.
Boletín Eclesiástico del Arzobispado de Santiago de Guatemala. 1965 – 2000.
Documentación del Complejo Arquitectónico de la Recolección , Consejo Nacional para la Protección de La Antigua Guatemala.
Portal de Museos de Guatemala
http://www.portalmuseosdeguatemala.net
Centro Virtual Cervantes
Referencia de la Lengua española y Cultura Hispánica
http://www.cervantes.es/
Conferencia Episcopal Española
http://www.conferenciaepiscopal.es/
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