Antigua Guatemala

Antigua is the old capital of the Guatemala. It was rested by the Spaniards in 1543 under the name of Santiago el Mayor . The conquistador Bernal Díaz del Castillo, former companion of Hernan the Cortes, was a long time the governor.

The plan of the east city as for much of colonial cities of Latin America consisted of streets which cross with right angle around a principal place.

The Volcan of Agua, which forms a perfect cone, is in the vicinity. With many recoveries the city is victim of Séisme S. It is by violence that nature will come to end from the Spanish city from Antigua by burying it under the ruins from an earthquake. After the seism of 1773, the Spanish government decides to move the capital in another place. It preserved its aspect of the time.

It is registered since 1979 on the list of the world heritage of UNESCO.

The city is at the same time a tourist center and a place of training of the Spanish for many foreigners in particular of North America.

See too

External bonds

Short presentation of Antigua
Site of the cities registered on the list of the world heritage
Antigua Guatemala photographs

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