Group 3: World Heritage of Guatemala "Antigua Guatemala"

This is the cultural heritage which calls Antigua Guatemala. This is the city in Sacatepéquez Department, Guatemala. This city name often is called just “Antigua” or “La Antigua”. It locates altitude of Guatemala, and be known with baroque architecture which is influenced by Spanish and many church built while colonial times.

“La Antigua Guatemala” means “old Guatemala”, and Guatemala was the third capital city of Guatemala. The First capital was Kakchikel-Maya city; it founded in July 25^th, 1524. This city was named as Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Goathemalan since July 25^th was the day of Saint James, and Saint James became the patron saint.

After several times of insurgence in Kakchikel-Maya city, the capital city was moved in Alotenango in November 22th, 1527. On September 11^th, 1541, this city was destroyed by the volcanic mud flow eructated from the Agua volcano, and the government moved the capital to Panchoy. Spanish Conquistador founded Antigua as of now, and named as Santiago de los Caballeros de Goathemalan again. Spanish colony government was stayed in Antigua more than 200 years. After the big earthquake which happened in September 29^th, 1717, the capital was moved to the place which as of now capital places. The old capital name wasn’t used for new capital, it named as Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción. This name means “New Guatemala of the Assumption”.

In 1979, UNESCO added Antigua Guatemala as World heritage. Today, there are buildings remain as cultural heritage in Antigua Guatemala.

The Santa Catalina arch