Antigua Guatemala was the capital of the Spanish colony of Guatemala from 1543 to 1773.
Views of Acatenango, the nearest active volcano Alas it had been built in the volcanic highlands, and in the 1700s it was struck by three destructive earthquakes. After the third and most terrifying, in 1773, the capital was moved and the city largely abandoned.
Even after great population growth in the 20th century the city still has only about half the population it had in 1773, which was 65,000. The city therefore boasts a famous array of ruins, most notably the old cathedral (above) and a Capuchin monastery, and has been declared a UNESCO heritage site.
The monastery.
An abandoned church.
People who visit now are delighted by the gardens.
One reason for the spectacular gardens is the remarkable fertility of the volcanic soil. The biggest local business these days is growing high-end vegetables that are mainly flown to North America. Some of the farms where this is done are set up for tourist visits, with onsite farm to table restaurants.
Mermaid fountain built in 1737, although I imagine it must have been rebuilt multiple times after earthquakes.
Two delightful imagesof local shops by
Geoffrey Bale.
Seems like a delightful place to visit.
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